Mister
MODULE 5
Attention Economics II Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
1. Introduction 3
2. The Open Society 3
3. When is a lot too much, and can information be harmful? 4
4. Understanding science: basic principles 7
5. Dr Woo and the Silicon Snake-oil Bangle Sellers 9
6. Conclusion 11
7. References 12
The contents of some of this module 's readings (section 5) were originally published as columns in the online newspaper, Daily Maverick. They stand as self-contained reflections on some of the topics addressed in the module, rather than as explicitly following on from each other. The original titles of the columns have been retained, but some editing of the content has taken place.
1. Introduction
The previous module introduced the key principles of Attention Economics, as well as some of the challenges posed by an abundance of data and the limits of our attention. We now continue to explore the Attention Economy, but with a closer focus on real-world examples, and on how to navigate sometimes conflicting information.
In this module, you will learn that:
• Even though an abundance of data can be overwhelming, when filtered and used correctly, it can also be very beneficial to both businesses and to individuals.
• Because they have to summarise sometimes complex stories, newspaper headlines can be a key source of misrepresenting information. In an Attention Economy where many people don 't read beyond headlines, this can become a significant problem, particularly if we make decisions about our health and well-being based on what headlines lead us to believe.
• One of the strongest tools in our critical-thinking tool box is understanding the scientific method. This helps us to distinguish science from pseudoscience, and to ask the right sorts of questions if we 're not sure if we can trust a source as being reliable or not. These skills ultimately help us to make the best and safest decisions for ourselves and for those
Attention Economics II Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
1. Introduction 3
2. The Open Society 3
3. When is a lot too much, and can information be harmful? 4
4. Understanding science: basic principles 7
5. Dr Woo and the Silicon Snake-oil Bangle Sellers 9
6. Conclusion 11
7. References 12
The contents of some of this module 's readings (section 5) were originally published as columns in the online newspaper, Daily Maverick. They stand as self-contained reflections on some of the topics addressed in the module, rather than as explicitly following on from each other. The original titles of the columns have been retained, but some editing of the content has taken place.
1. Introduction
The previous module introduced the key principles of Attention Economics, as well as some of the challenges posed by an abundance of data and the limits of our attention. We now continue to explore the Attention Economy, but with a closer focus on real-world examples, and on how to navigate sometimes conflicting information.
In this module, you will learn that:
• Even though an abundance of data can be overwhelming, when filtered and used correctly, it can also be very beneficial to both businesses and to individuals.
• Because they have to summarise sometimes complex stories, newspaper headlines can be a key source of misrepresenting information. In an Attention Economy where many people don 't read beyond headlines, this can become a significant problem, particularly if we make decisions about our health and well-being based on what headlines lead us to believe.
• One of the strongest tools in our critical-thinking tool box is understanding the scientific method. This helps us to distinguish science from pseudoscience, and to ask the right sorts of questions if we 're not sure if we can trust a source as being reliable or not. These skills ultimately help us to make the best and safest decisions for ourselves and for those
References: • Chivers, Tom. 2013. Why vaccination matters, and why hippies and conspiracy theorists who say otherwise are dangerous. The Guardian, 2 January. (Online). Available: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tomchiversscience/100196350/why-vaccination-matters-and-why-hippies-and-conspiracy-theorists-who-say-otherwise-are-dangerous/ (2013, January 2). • Freedman, David H. 2013. Survival of the wrongest. Columbia Journalism Review, January/February. (Online). http://www.cjr.org/cover_story/survival_of_the_wrongest.php (2013, January 3). • Goldacre, Ben. 2011. Putting a number in its context. The Guardian, 8 January. (Online). Available: http://www.badscience.net/2011/01/putting-a-number-in-its-context/ (2011, January 9). • Kenny, Charles. 2012. For a Great Stocking Stuffer, Give a Kid a Vaccine. Bloomberg Business Week, 23 December. (Online). Available: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-23/for-a-great-stocking-stuffer-give-a-kid-a-vaccine (2012, December 29). • Sagan, Carl. 1996. The Fine Art of Baloney Detection, In The Demon-Haunted World. New York: Ballantine Books, 201-218.