Brian Dunning’s Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking

A post on Kristin Sanford’s excellent science blog, The Bird’s Brain, directed me to a terrific 40 minute video by Brian Dunning on critical thinking.  Available here, Dunning describes all the basics for critically engaging, evaluating, and questioning the world around us–particularly focusing on pseudo-science and unsubstantiated pharmacological claims.  He presents a well-thoughtout and expertly assembled video.  I recommend it, and I might use it in my college writing class in the Fall.  Also, check out Dunning’s website and podcast here.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 am and is filed under Science. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Brian Dunning’s Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking”

  1. Thivai Says:
    June 30, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    So yoga is a foolish illusion…?

    Seems like a very simplistic video for such a serious subject?

  2. Critical Thinker_the awakened Says:
    July 5, 2008 at 9:42 am

    Shi*e would be the word I would choose, Its worse than listening to a highschool teacher trying to imprint their personal veiw of the world on you. Protentious cack, barely researched subject matter with his own conclusions. He seems to be the worst victim of what he is trying to preach which makes it mildly amusing for about 10 minutes.
    Just don’t waste your time on this air head, if you want to be skeptical about something their are far better ways to research it than listen to this drivel.

  3. Jason Ellis Says:
    July 5, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    Hey guys, thanks for the comments.

    Thivai–Dunning is addressing the spiritual and “energy” aspects of yoga–I don’t think he would say it makes you less limber. Also, the operative word is “introduction.”

    Critical Thinker_the awakened–For an introductory video on developing critical thought, Dunning succeeds. You should check out his podcast–you’ll find he’s not an “air head.”

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