On Mon, 29 Jul 2013, Stephen Paling wrote:
> Like learning to program and building algorithms? That's what I'm doing.
> I'm tired of bikeshedding.
Algorithms are "minor technical" tools built to serve a higher purpose.
It's the purpose and its ramifications that determine whether the
algorithms are examples of "bikeshedding. How about some "technical"
software that can drain the media swamp of identifiable manipulative
rhetoric (as, for example, identified on Wikipedia's "List of fallacies")?
"Bikeshedding" happens most commonly when actions are taken without
regard for potential consequences, such as how to get the most out of
fracking with no concern for earthquakes and pollution.
There's no harm in showing patrons examples of fallacies of reasoning.
Give 'em a class on them and let them provide the examples. It would help
them better understand the "information" they are confronted with, and
save them time otherwise spent muddling through the muck.
Cheers!
John G. Marr
Cataloger
CDS, UL
Univ. of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
jmarr_at_unm.edu
californiastop_at_hushmail.com
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Received on Mon Jul 29 2013 - 18:19:13 EDT