Fake News: Fact & Fiction - Episode 6: How to be a critical thinker

Summary

This BBC Learning English episode of 'Fake News: Fact and Fiction' explores critical thinking with guest Dr. Steven Novella, a neurologist and science communicator. Hosts Hugo and Sam discuss how to evaluate information, covering terms like 'spin,' 'cherry-picking,' 'bias,' and 'confirmation bias.' Dr. Novella emphasizes the importance of skepticism, media literacy, and the ability to discern credible information in today's media-driven world. The episode highlights the need to question information critically, especially in science, health, and politics, to avoid falling for fake news and misinformation.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Critical thinking is essential for evaluating the information we access and is a vital skill in today's world.
• 🌀 'Spin' refers to presenting information in a way that makes it seem more positive without revealing the full context or truth.
• 🍒 'Cherry-picking' is the act of selecting only the facts that support one's viewpoint while ignoring others.
• 🧲 'Bias' is an opinion that is not impartial and can be influenced by personal feelings, political preferences, or ideology.
• 🤔 'Confirmation bias' is the tendency to only notice and accept information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.
• 🧐 Critical thinking involves looking at information objectively and impartially, without being swayed by personal biases.
• 🤝 Being a 'sceptic' means wanting to believe only in things that are true, using facts, logic, and evidence.
• 📚 'Media literacy' is the understanding of how media and social media work, including how they can be used to spread both accurate and inaccurate information.
• 🧠 Our brains are flawed, and we often construct an approximation of reality that may not be totally accurate, so it's important to be aware of our cognitive biases.
• 🌐 In the modern world, where we have access to vast amounts of information, the ability to find and critically evaluate that information is crucial.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the program?

The main topic is critical thinking and its importance in evaluating information, especially in relation to fake news.

Who is the special guest featured in the program, and what is his expertise?

The special guest is Dr. Steven Novella, a clinical neurologist at Yale University and a science communicator. He is known for his work on scientific skepticism and hosts the podcast 'The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe.'

What is 'spin' in the context of the media, and how is it used?

'Spin' refers to presenting information in a way that makes it appear as positive as possible, even if the full context or truth is not provided. It is commonly used by politicians and media outlets to shape public perception.

What does 'cherry-picking' mean in the context of presenting information?

'Cherry-picking' means selecting only the details or facts that support a particular view or argument while ignoring information that might contradict or provide a fuller picture.

How is 'bias' explained in the program?

Bias is described as an opinion or belief that is not impartial and is influenced by personal feelings, political preferences, or ideology. It can affect how people interpret information.

What is 'confirmation bias,' and why is it important in the spread of fake news?

'Confirmation bias' is the tendency to ignore or dismiss information that does not support one's existing beliefs, while focusing on information that does. It plays a significant role in the spread of fake news because people are more likely to share information that aligns with their views without verifying its accuracy.

What does Dr. Novella say about being a skeptic?

Dr. Novella explains that being a skeptic means wanting to believe only things that are true, based on facts, logic, and evidence. Skeptics use a formal process to evaluate information and avoid being gullible.

Why is critical thinking described as 'social distancing for fake news'?

Critical thinking is compared to 'social distancing for fake news' because it helps individuals spot and avoid spreading misinformation by evaluating the credibility of information before believing or sharing it.

According to Dr. Novella, what skills are essential for understanding complex issues?

Dr. Novella emphasizes the importance of looking for different opinions, keeping an open mind, and evaluating evidence objectively. This process helps in understanding complex issues and identifying the most credible information.

What is 'media literacy,' and why does Dr. Novella believe it is important?

Media literacy refers to understanding how media and social media work and how they can be used for both good and bad purposes. Dr. Novella believes that media literacy, along with critical thinking, is essential for navigating the modern information environment and identifying misinformation.