From Unprofessors versus Unprofessionals to Science versus Religion

I think in my life I’ve experienced more than my fair share of quacks. I even consider at least one such person (i.e., a “quack”) within the circle of my own close family members. Throughout the many years and decades, quacks are littered more or less all the way along my own path. Some I… Continue reading From Unprofessors versus Unprofessionals to Science versus Religion

Delayed Information

Today, I am returning to one of my perennial topics — literacy (and also my newfangled term: publicacy — see also “What is Publicacy + Why does it Matter?“). I was reminded of these issues yet again (and indeed, several times) this week. The most prominent reminder was undoubtedly this quote (by Joe Rogan): As… Continue reading Delayed Information

Unser Kampf

For anyone who isn’t all too “fluent” in German, “Kampf” means something like “fight” or “battle”. Adolf Hitler wrote a book titled “Mein Kampf” — referring to “My” (fight or battle). I have chosen the title “Unser Kampf” — referring to “Our” (fight or battle). Survival is indeed to some degree a matter of fighting… Continue reading Unser Kampf

Dispatch from the Other Side

Now that we’re in full-on Christmas season, I’m beginning to take stock of all the so-called “news” I’ve been avoiding over the past several weeks. The last thing I remember being aware of was the fact that when the election in the United States was decided, the German coalition government fell apart immediately — it… Continue reading Dispatch from the Other Side

Is Fake News a Dilemma (or maybe an Industry)?

I’m a little late with this week’s post — but I do have an excuse! 😀 I had to prepare some other texts, which I will refer to below. The question in the title is inspired by recent remarks made by Silke Müller — see “Technology + Culture + Ethics + Education in Deutschland (Interview… Continue reading Is Fake News a Dilemma (or maybe an Industry)?

Trusting the Sales Person

I have a hunch that gullible people are one of the biggest problems humanity faces today. It seems like used car sales persons have had a bad reputation since time immemorial, and what’s perhaps even more surprising is that time immemorial seems to go back no further than the invention of the automobile. Which people… Continue reading Trusting the Sales Person

Pretty Pictures

One nice thing about PDF documents is the pretty pictures. Granted: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this image shows the extreme disconnect between reported facts and actual reality like no other (in my not so humble opinion 😉 ). Anyone who believes that the advertising industry is all about honesty has… Continue reading Pretty Pictures

We need to figure out what’s going on

This is something a Silicon Valley celebrity said recently — and I’ve decided to “steal” it because the meaning is actually rather ambiguous and depends a lot on context. The person who said it, simply said it in passing and didn’t contextualize what was meant at all — I actually have a vague “gut feeling”… Continue reading We need to figure out what’s going on

Everything is Special, Nothing is General (Knowledge)

I’m guessing that sounds sort of extreme … yet I am repeatedly led to this belief. I don’t believe in such a crass statement as “everything is special, nothing is general“, but I do notice something about the way other people believe to know something about which they obviously have little or no knowledge whatsoever.… Continue reading Everything is Special, Nothing is General (Knowledge)

How to Become Someone or Something

First and foremost: You must change. If you simply stay the way you already are, you will never become someone (or something). Personally, I don’t want to become someone or something — I am very happy just being me. If you aren’t, then I guess there is no way around actually changing. So if you… Continue reading How to Become Someone or Something

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