tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61887555298634700122011-04-21T20:25:22.951-05:00A blog intended to promote good science and critical thinking.Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.comBlogger51100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188755529863470012.post-70337324257473756082009-02-01T11:26:00.003-06:002009-02-01T11:38:19.462-06:00

I frequently come across logical fallacies while reading the newspaper, especially in editorials and letters to the editor.But what, exactly, is a logical fallacy? It is basically a misapplication of logic. Logic, of course, is very important, as it helps us think through problems and hopefully reach valid conclusions. In fact, we use logical structures every day. For example, we often say

Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188755529863470012.post-55674656572679620922009-01-25T15:50:00.001-06:002009-01-25T15:52:38.087-06:00

"Logic? who needs that froo-froo, stuff anyway? It all just comes down to semantics." I have heard such sentiments from a variety of people. But the fact is that we all need logic and use it every day. But let's start with the fact that we all use it. If you are reading this blog entry, you are using one of the great inventions enabled by logic: the digital computer. (Despite my youthful

Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188755529863470012.post-85526271269638251712009-01-21T12:57:00.001-06:002009-01-21T13:00:13.875-06:00

Alphabetically, they are:Bad AstronomyNot Exactly Rocket SciencePharyngula

Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188755529863470012.post-76626636640650043182009-01-21T11:53:00.001-06:002009-01-21T12:11:00.340-06:00

So, why start yet another blog, when there are so many out there already? Mostly because I feel the need to share my point of view with anyone who will listen. And to degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of the internet.My interest in blogging comes from the fact that solid science is built on critical thinking skills, and those skills are becoming tough to find in people. Thus, I am here to

Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6188755529863470012.post-74608375163327943682009-01-21T10:23:00.000-06:002009-01-21T10:36:12.482-06:00

It's a funny thing, memory. I just created a Face Book account after gentle prodding by a good friend. Before I knew it, nearly all my good friends from college had converged upon me in an ambush that I can only describe as, insane, amazing and wonderful.In the rush and complication of day-to-day life we forget the broader scope and fail to remember the past: its bad times, the good and the

Patrick Tinkham, FCDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477772230858522381noreply@blogger.com0