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Month: June 2022

The “Appeal to Authority” Argument Form

The “Appeal to Authority” Argument Form

A former US Surgeon General asserts the “appeal to authority” argument form – where neither facts nor logic supported his position. Instead, he came across as arrogant and dismissive of those lacking the qualifications to question his errant comments – even though he was wrong. This attitude has become common during the Covid era and has led to “the suicide of expertise” – that is, the loss of trust in experts and even Science itself.

Using social media to destroy your career

Using social media to destroy your career

A medical professional posted on Twitter that she can and will withhold care from patients based on her perception of the patient’s sex, race and political beliefs. By Monday, her hospital bio page displayed “Page not found”. Far too many engage in inappropriate emotional outbursts on social media that have led to severe consequences, including being fired from a job.

Provocative and misleading headline of the day “Russian Official Who Carried Putin’s Nuclear Codes Found in ‘Pool of Blood'”

Provocative and misleading headline of the day “Russian Official Who Carried Putin’s Nuclear Codes Found in ‘Pool of Blood'”

What actually happened: A retired colonel whose past job had him carrying government nuclear launch codes attempted suicide after getting drunk. A bit different than the headline implies considering current world events.