Chapter 10: Ugh Emotions
Emotions can be at fault for a lot of what we believe since it can trigger something in us if we care enough. However, if we combine our emotions with analysis we could become unstoppable. Something could be totally wrong but also could be partially true. This is why you always want to make sure you do the research yourself instead of leaving it up to others, since you’re the one who cares the most in retrieving this info. Make sure to know what you find compelling and then see what the sources say in regards to that.
There is also what ‘surprises’ us. However, “surprise doesn’t just indicate that something is different from what you expected. It indicates that it is different in a way or at a level that is significant” (200). Webpages can dull your sense of surprise and your reaction can change vastly depending on what is revealed to you. Always pay attention to YOUR context and what you know/relate to/feel. Check yourself and the checklists. Also, being overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re at fault or dumb, it just means you need to find a better strategy to seek information.
Chapter 11: The Conclusion
We’ve made it to the end of Verified. The conclusion. I didn’t get too much from the conclusion but did glean a few things. Critical thinking is always great but there is also critical ignoring! You want to minimize your energy and search in a way that doesn’t fry your brain.
“By adding critical ignoring to your repertoire, you’ll quickly be able to recognize and walk away from dubious information that leaves your mind fried and your spirit enfeebled” (214).
Postscript
Love that the rise of ChatGPT caused them to write out this Postscript.
Large Language Models may not have goals or underlying understandings, but can use your patterns in text to predict what you will want to write out next. Polished sites aren’t seen as rich publication places anymore since anyone could use a spell check ai or other means to make everything seem good. Just because it is polished doesn’t mean the publication place is well put together anymore. That’s why we need to use the internet to check the internet.
Make sure to always be in the driver’s seat and to use SIFT, lateral reading, and reading the room.
Do You Want to Play a Game?
I definitely feel I understand Twine quite a bit more after this how-to guide. Now I know what passages and links are, how to make the game look swanky with CSS, how to add images and music, and thinking about what variables can do in the programming. I love all the possibilities and things you could include in creating your own game. I’m very excited to start making one with my group for the Interactive Nonfiction project.