Weaponized Lies

How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era

Business & Finance, Economics, Statistics, Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Applied Psychology, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Weaponized Lies by Daniel J. Levitin, Penguin Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Daniel J. Levitin ISBN: 9781524742225
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group Publication: March 7, 2017
Imprint: Dutton Language: English
Author: Daniel J. Levitin
ISBN: 9781524742225
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication: March 7, 2017
Imprint: Dutton
Language: English

**Previously Published as A Field Guide to Lies

We’re surrounded by fringe theories, fake news, and pseudo-facts. These lies are getting repeated. New York Times bestselling author Daniel Levitin shows how to disarm these socially devastating inventions and get the American mind back on track. Here are the fundamental lessons in critical thinking that we need to know and share now.**

Investigating numerical misinformation, Daniel Levitin shows how mishandled statistics and graphs can give a grossly distorted perspective and lead us to terrible decisions. Wordy arguments on the other hand can easily be persuasive as they drift away from the facts in an appealing yet misguided way. The steps we can take to better evaluate news, advertisements, and reports are clearly detailed. Ultimately, Levitin turns to what underlies our ability to determine if something is true or false: the scientific method. He grapples with the limits of what we can and cannot know. Case studies are offered to demonstrate the applications of logical thinking to quite varied settings, spanning courtroom testimony, medical decision making, magic, modern physics, and conspiracy theories.

This urgently needed book enables us to avoid the extremes of passive gullibility and cynical rejection. As Levitin attests: Truth matters. A post-truth era is an era of willful irrationality, reversing all the great advances humankind has made. Euphemisms like “fringe theories,” “extreme views,” “alt truth,” and even “fake news” can literally be dangerous. Let's call lies what they are and catch those making them in the act.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

**Previously Published as A Field Guide to Lies

We’re surrounded by fringe theories, fake news, and pseudo-facts. These lies are getting repeated. New York Times bestselling author Daniel Levitin shows how to disarm these socially devastating inventions and get the American mind back on track. Here are the fundamental lessons in critical thinking that we need to know and share now.**

Investigating numerical misinformation, Daniel Levitin shows how mishandled statistics and graphs can give a grossly distorted perspective and lead us to terrible decisions. Wordy arguments on the other hand can easily be persuasive as they drift away from the facts in an appealing yet misguided way. The steps we can take to better evaluate news, advertisements, and reports are clearly detailed. Ultimately, Levitin turns to what underlies our ability to determine if something is true or false: the scientific method. He grapples with the limits of what we can and cannot know. Case studies are offered to demonstrate the applications of logical thinking to quite varied settings, spanning courtroom testimony, medical decision making, magic, modern physics, and conspiracy theories.

This urgently needed book enables us to avoid the extremes of passive gullibility and cynical rejection. As Levitin attests: Truth matters. A post-truth era is an era of willful irrationality, reversing all the great advances humankind has made. Euphemisms like “fringe theories,” “extreme views,” “alt truth,” and even “fake news” can literally be dangerous. Let's call lies what they are and catch those making them in the act.

More books from Penguin Publishing Group

Cover of the book Death Where the Bad Rocks Live by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Putting the Power of Your Subconscious Mind to Work by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Slocum #418 by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Surrender to Temptation Part III by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book The Smartest Portfolio You'll Ever Own by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book The Better Brain Book by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book The Mathews Men by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Don't Bullsh*t Yourself! by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Snow White Red-Handed by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Hitting the Books by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Chasers of the Light by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Patricia Cornwell FIVE SCARPETTA NOVELS by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book How to Customize Your Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra Truck, 1999-2006 by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book The Clone Alliance by Daniel J. Levitin
Cover of the book Much Ado In the Moonlight by Daniel J. Levitin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy