common fallacies

Whether false information spreads by ignorance and/or accident, or by misunderstandings, or by purposeful lies designed to fool people, all examples of the phenomenon share a common thread. Namely, they are potentially harmful to either specific individuals, or society in general, or both.

We know that pollution damages our physical environments--but what about the digital landscape? Touching on everything from goat memes gone wrong to conflict in group chats to the sometimes unexpected side effects of online activism, this lively guide to media literacy draws on ecological, social justice, and storytelling frameworks to help readers understand how information pollution spreads and why. It also helps them make sense of the often stressful and strange online world. Featuring a hyperconnected cast of teens and their social-media shenanigans, reader-friendly text tackles the thorny topic of internet ethics while empowering--and inspiring--young readers to weave a safe, secure, and inclusive digital world. Readers are invited to delve further into the subject with the help of comprehensive source notes and a bibliography in the back matter.

In an era of misinformation, much of it spread by authority figures, apps and websites, it is difficult to know what is true. The author uses contemporary, ripped-from-the-headlines examples to clearly explain how to identify bad evidence and poor arguments, summarizes the rhetorical tricks people use to mislead, and offers advice about how to deal with people who intentionally misinform.

An encyclopedic compendium of facts, images, and infographics brings familiar topics to life and helps readers discover fun-filled trivia and statistics in a range of subjects, from science and history, to culture and the natural world.

Explains the truth behind popular myths and urban legends.

Explains the truth behind more popular myths and urban legends.

Explores more than one hundred tall tales, suspicious stories, and urban myths, revealing how each has been disproven, with facts about myth origins, historical significance, and how they were investigated by scientific debunkers.

Looks at common beliefs about animals, discussing whether they are fact or fiction.

Looks at common urban myths, discussing whether they are fact or fiction.

Looks at common beliefs about humans, discussing whether they are fact or fiction.