Overview

Guy P. Harrison, an upbeat advocate of scientific literacy and positive skepticism, demonstrates how critical thinking can enhance the benefits of social media while giving users the skills to guard against its dangers. Social media has more than two billion users and continues to grow. Its widespread appeal as a means of staying in touch with friends and keeping up with daily news masks some serious pitfalls-misinformation, pseudoscience, fraud, propaganda, and irrational beliefs, for example, presented in an attractive, easy-to-share form. This book will teach you how to resist the psychological and behavioral manipulation of social media and avoid the mistakes that millions have already made and now regret. Harrison presents scientific studies that show why your subconscious mind loves social media and how that can work against your ability to critically evaluate information. Among other things, social media reinforces your biases, clouds your judgment with images that leave a false impression, and fills your brain with anecdotes that become cheap substitutes for objective data. The very nature of the technology keeps you in a bubble; by tracking your preferences it sends only filtered newsfeeds, so that you rarely see anything that might challenge your set notions. Harrison explores the implications of having digital ""friends"" and the effects on mood, self-esteem, and the cultivation of friendship in the real world. He discusses how social media affects attention spans and the ability to consider issues in depth. And he suggests ways to protect yourself against privacy invasion, cyberstalking, biased misinformation, catfishing, trolls, misuse of photos, and the confusion over fake news versus credible journalism.

Full Product Details

9781633883512

Table of Contents

Reviews

[A] skillfully written and researched survey.... [Harrison's] book addresses timely topics, such as avoiding information 'filter bubbles' and 'fake news.' It also contains a well-designed chart for objectively measuring time devoted to social media and cogent advice about healthy use and warning signs. Perhaps the strongest sections are discussions of the importance of critical thinking, 'standard weak points' to be aware of in news reports, and five steps to 'think like a scientist.' Harrison manages to be firm without being a fearmonger. --Publishers Weekly Guy P. Harrison has become an essential guide to the human mind and a champion of science, reason, and critical thinking. In this new book, the celebrated author of Think and Good Thinkingapplies his signature wit, insight, and good nature as he tackles the Internet and social media, two omnipresent beasts that he shows us how to tame. From fake news to privacy and filter bubbles, Harrison leaves no stone unturned, and he delivers another brilliant and vitally important book. --Julien Musolino, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Rutgers University, and author of The Soul Fallacy We all deserve to live in a social media environment that is responsive, responsible, and humane. So if you're looking for helpful insights on how to evaluate the health of your own social media habits, how to maintain your privacy in a world of ubiquitous commercial surveillance, how to strengthen good thinking habits in an always-on context, and how to effectively contribute to creating the humane media system we all need, you must read this book. --Lynn Schofield Clark, professor, University of Denver; author, The Parent App; and coauthor, Young People and the Future of News Harrison combines outstanding and comprehensive research with engaging, colorful, and entertaining writing. His spot-on book raises and addresses important issues on how we are both victims and beneficiaries of a wired world. Readers should heed his call to pay attention to and think about social media's role in society and in their lives. This is a fascinating treatment of an important subject. --Larry Atkins, author of Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias Deeply researched and always engaging, Think Before You Like is a fascinating exploration of online social networks. If you are on social media, don't hesitate; read this book now! --Adam Alter, associate professor of marketing and psychology at New York University's Stern School of Business, and author of Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR THINK Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly Guy P. Harrison has become an essential guide to the human mind and a champion of science, reason, and critical thinking. In this new book, the celebrated author of Think and Good Thinkingapplies his signature wit, insight, and good nature as he tackles the Internet and social media, two omnipresent beasts that he shows us how to tame. From fake news to privacy and filter bubbles, Harrison leaves no stone unturned, and he delivers another brilliant and vitally important book. --Julien Musolino, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Rutgers University, and author of The Soul Fallacy We all deserve to live in a social media environment that is responsive, responsible, and humane. So if you're looking for helpful insights on how to evaluate the health of your own social media habits, how to maintain your privacy in a world of ubiquitous commercial surveillance, how to strengthen good thinking habits in an always-on context, and how to effectively contribute to creating the humane media system we all need, you must read this book. --Lynn Schofield Clark, professor, University of Denver; author, The Parent App; and coauthor, Young People and the Future of News Harrison combines outstanding and comprehensive research with engaging, colorful, and entertaining writing. His spot-on book raises and addresses important issues on how we are both victims and beneficiaries of a wired world. Readers should heed his call to pay attention to and think about social media's role in society and in their lives. This is a fascinating treatment of an important subject. --Larry Atkins, author of Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias Deeply researched and always engaging, Think Before You Like is a fascinating exploration of online social networks. If you are on social media, don't hesitate; read this book now! --Adam Alter, associate professor of marketing and psychology at New York University's Stern School of Business, and author of Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR THINK Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly We all deserve to live in a social media environment that is responsive, responsible, and humane. So if you're looking for helpful insights on how to evaluate the health of your own social media habits, how to maintain your privacy in a world of ubiquitous commercial surveillance, how to strengthen good thinking habits in an always-on context, and how to effectively contribute to creating the humane media system we all need, you must read this book. --Lynn Schofield Clark, professor, University of Denver; author, The Parent App; and coauthor, Young People and the Future of News Guy P. Harrison combines outstanding and comprehensive research with engaging, colorful, and entertaining writing. His spot-on book raises and addresses important issues on how we are both victims and beneficiaries of a wired world. Readers should heed his call to pay attention to and think about social media's role in society and in their lives. This is a fascinating treatment of an important subject. --Larry Atkins, author of Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR THINK Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain. --Library Journal Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work. --Seek Wellness It is absolutely brilliant! --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended. --Library Journal Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING -Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived.- --San Francisco Book Review -Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world.---Publishers Weekly -This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain.- --Library Journal -Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work.- --Seek Wellness -It is absolutely brilliant!- --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK -Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended.- --Library Journal -Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know.---Skeptical Inquirer -Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts.-'--Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain. --Library Journal Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work. --Seek Wellness It is absolutely brilliant! --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended. --Library Journal Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING -Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived.- --San Francisco Book Review -Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world.---Publishers Weekly -This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain.- --Library Journal -Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work.- --Seek Wellness -It is absolutely brilliant!- --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK -Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended.- --Library Journal -Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know.---Skeptical Inquirer -Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts.-'--Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain. --Library Journal Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work. --Seek Wellness It is absolutely brilliant! --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended. --Library Journal Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING -Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived.- --San Francisco Book Review -Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world.---Publishers Weekly -This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain.- --Library Journal -Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work.- --Seek Wellness -It is absolutely brilliant!- --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK -Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended.- --Library Journal -Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know.---Skeptical Inquirer -Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts.-'--Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR GOOD THINKING Harrison delivers a highly entertaining and extremely readable manifesto for using logic and reason for good thinking and a life better-lived. --San Francisco Book Review Harrison proves himself an excellent guide to reasonable thought in the 'swirling, festering ball of deception and madness' that is the modern world. --Publishers Weekly This is a well-researched and informative book on the intrinsic biases and problems that occur in every human brain. --Library Journal Kudos to Guy Harrison for producing a masterful work. --Seek Wellness It is absolutely brilliant! --Concatenation PRAISE FOR THINK Harrison's upbeat style nicely conveys some of the latest scientific research on how the mind functions... [His] inviting style serves the interests of skeptics and scientists who face the onslaught of nonsense, delusion, ignorance, stupidity, and bias that dominates today's muddled culture... Highly recommended. --Library Journal Terrific, useful, well-written, and just plain entertaining. ...Think is a book that should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and, more importantly, the bookshelf of anyone who is not yet convinced that science is the best way to know. --Skeptical Inquirer Very useful.... Harrison demonstrates the need for critical analysis in a world of conflicting stories and glib 'facts. '--Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Guy P. Harrison is an award-winning journalist and the author of Good Thinking- What You Need to Know to Be Smarter, Safer, Wealthier, and Wiser; Think- Why You Should Question Everything; 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian; 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True; 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God; and Race and Reality- What Everyone Should Know about Our Biological Diversity.

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