America and the world are besotted with foolish beliefs fostered by cultures that undervalue critical thinking, and I'm not refering only to the popularity of religions.
Something has to be done about the huge disregard of evidence-based reasoning. I have just the thing in mind, given my own capacity for science and reason--a contest! I think a critical thinking wellness contest will stimulate a mass breakthrough to rationality. Such a contest can bring the people of this country and elsewhere throughot the world to their senses.
So, I hereby announce a contest. An essay contest. A 1000 word limit. Anyone can enter, including my relatives and employees of this website, college professors, celebrities, high ranking politicians, even Republicans. It's wide open. The winner's photo will be posted at this website for a day and he or she will also receive a medal. The medal will be one of my own medals won in a prestigious race. Maybe merchants will also contribute valuable prizes as word of this contest spreads.
The contest is a simple, two-part process: A) Describe a foolish belief held by a group of people in a civilized jurisdiction (let's not pick on people in underdeveloped parts of the world, like Alabama) and, B) note how such a bizarre belief might be overcome.
Send your 1000 or less word essay for this context by May 1, 2009. Send by e-mail to me at DBA@seekwellness.com.
To get you in the spirit or mood for this, here is an example of what a contest entry might look like. First, I offer an example of whacked off insane thinking, then a solution.
PART ONE: A DESCRIPTION OF A FOOLISH BELIEF
Several major league baseball players and other popular athletes wear titanium-laced necklaces and wristbands. Why? hey claim it brings them luck. Is there any evidence for this claim? None. Is it possible that they are paid to wear the bands in order that their celebrity-based modeling will lead innocent victims to buy this product, hoping for good luck? It is. More likely, they are not paid—they are just reason-impaired. More than luck is promised or at least held out as a benefit from wearing the titanium products—the necklaces and bands might also "alleviate discomfort, enhance circulation, promote relaxation, stabilize energy flow, reduce stress and soothe tension."
I'm not making this up. See Richard Martins story in the St. Petersburg Times entitled "Wear Titanium, Play Better," April 6, 2009.
The product is touted as a "micro-titanium sphere" and an "energy transport system." It is said (by the Japanese chiropractor who promotes it) to amplify some mysterious "energy management system" and thereby make all cells more efficient. The necklaces sell for $47 and are sold at "reputable" outlets in the US, including Sports Authority.
PART TWO: HOW THIS NONSENSE MIGHT BE OVERCOME
Anyone seen wearing this bracelet should be showered with love and ridicule. These are not mutually exclusive. Be nice to the person, be courteous and think always of his or her best interests, but have playful fun at the individual for being suckered into buying or just wearing a ridiculous product sold under the most ludricrous of claims. This warmth of loving spirit does not apply to the major league ballplayers and others who might have been paid to model this item that is a blight on human intelligence and an offense against reason. These people should be humiliated, if not prosecuted. They give prostitution a bad name. Even if they are not paid to wear such things.
That's it. That's the contest. I eagerly await your contribution. Be well—and don't buy any necklaces with titanium or you'll be hearing from me—in a loving way, of course.
