Examine the key reasons why so many people might seem to be attracted to more pseudoscience-type claims

Pseudoscience – a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

“Real” difference: Science is based on real true proven facts and cannot be disputed without other true real facts. Whereas, pseudo means “fake or false”, therefore, not based off of fact, mainly beliefs and practices. One can be persuaded to believe anything, but they may or may not be able to prove their claims.

People are drawn to the strange and unexplained and if you can sell them something that makes them go hmmm and provide them with enough detail not to fact check, they will be intrigued. These days the world wants everything quick and delivered to them on a silver platter so why look any further? Therefore, pseudoscience claims are easy claims to make! And especially if it goes along with what they have heard their whole lives. One example I can think of is childhood fantasies such as Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. If we were good, then we would get presents or money from these beings. Now we all know that the real beings were “Mommy and Daddy” sneaking around to make their children believe such things existed. Another example is superstition that you were taught as a child. “Don’t step on a crack, you will break your momma’s back” “Black cat crossing your path means bad luck” “Braking a mirror will cause you 7 years bad luck”, etc. If you were told these types of things growing up, you believed it because we don’t want to think our parents or older siblings would “lie” to us!

This week’s reading has changed my thinking as far as having to think a bit more about the information that I am receiving. Being able to use my critical thinking to evaluate whether it is truth or fiction.