Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Blog 2: MK Ultra, Drug Experimentation, Thought Manipulation
MK Ultra was a secret CIA program that ran from the early 1950s to the mid 70s. Its main purpose was to research mind control, interrogation, and psychological manipulation, especially during the Cold War, when the U.S. feared that the Soviet Union, China, and North Korea were developing similar techniques. They tested LSD and other drugs, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, electroshock therapy, and various psychological techniques on both willing and unwilling participants. Some experiments explored how drugs and stress could weaken someone’s sense of self or make them more open to suggestion, which overlaps with cognitive psychology and behavioral conditioning. However, the program often ignored ethical standards. The belief that LSD or hypnosis could completely control someone’s mind was unsupported by evidence, yet experiments pursued it anyway. Some CIA documents reveal fascination with wild ideas like psychic powers, telepathy, and “truth serums”-- concepts with little to absolutely no scientific basis. The program was exposed in the 70s through the Church Committee hearings and later declassified documents. MK Ultra is now cited as an example of government overreach, unethical psychology, and how pseudoscience can be legitimized when wrapped in secrecy and fear.
Blog 1: Jersey Devil
‘Sciencey’ Myths: Why Looks Can Be Deceiving
Graphology is the pseudoscientific idea that handwriting can indicate personality traits. It may seem convincing and scientific, but the reality is that graphology fails when examined scientifically.
Graphology has been applied in real-life scenarios, including hiring processes, even though there is strong evidence that it has no real link to job performance or personality. This serves as a perfect illustration of what Daniel Kahneman might refer to as a System 1 error: our quick, intuitive minds enjoy simple stories and patterns, even when they lack factual support.
Similar to palm reading and astrology, graphology depends on vague generalizations (for example: "You have a strong desire for others to like you, but you also value your independence") These claims sound precise, but they could apply to nearly anyone. Additionally, because we are naturally inclined towards confirmation bias, we often only recognize the aspects that seem accurate. This subject connects directly to our conversations about critical thinking, heuristics, and pseudoscience. We explored cold reading, the halo effect, and how individuals can be easily misled when something appears scientific but lacks evidence. Graphology, like many pseudoscientific methods, frequently employs technical-sounding terminology, charts, and data to create an illusion of credibility. By recognizing cognitive biases such as confirmation bias and associative coherence, we can begin to see through these deceptions whether it’s a psychic reading, a horoscope, or an analysis of handwriting.
Why We Hate to Let Go Even When It’s Rational
Have you ever continued watching a terrible movie simply because you already bought the ticket? Or remained in a bad relationship because you don’t want to feel like all that time was wasted? That’s the sunk cost fallacy at work, it's the notion that we keep investing in something just because we’ve already committed time, money, or effort, even when it no longer makes sense.
Daniel Kahneman discusses how loss aversion, the reality that losing something is more painful than the pleasure of gaining the same thing, significantly contributes to this behavior. We dislike admitting we were wrong, so we reinforce our commitment. This bias isn’t limited to movies or relationships; it also influences major decisions like persisting in a failing job, a poor investment, or even holding onto beliefs in a psychic or paranormal claims long after evidence suggests otherwise. Grasping the sunk cost fallacy can aid us in recognizing when it’s wiser to cut our losses and move forward
Book Report - AI Snake Oil
If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can really tell if someone’s a good job candidate, be able to spot criminals, or diagnose your depression, AI Snake Oil by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor is a must-read. The authors argue that many of these uses of AI are built on shaky ground. While AI has made impressive strides in areas like creating images or translating speech, it often fails when it comes to predicting human behavior – something companies and governments heavily rely on. This report breaks down the types of AI into three categories: perception, judgment automation, and social prediction, with a strong warning about the last category.
The book also exposes how many so-called “intelligent” systems are being sold with little proof that they work, and how this blind trust can actually cause more harm than good. From biased algorithms in hiring to flawed educational software that claims to detect cheating, they show how AI is often misused or misunderstood. What makes this report especially useful is that it’s written in plain language, but doesn’t shy away from complex ideas. If you’re skeptical about how AI is being used in society or if you haven’t questioned it yet, this will open your eyes.
My favorite part is when the book delves into how the majority of AI use involves predicting social outcomes, and how these models are being sold and used to assess employee performance–even to detect when students cheat. The main idea of AI as “snake oil” is also compelling; it highlights how many AI tools are marketed as flawless solutions, promising to work without any issues, but often fail to deliver. This leads to overhyped, underperforming, and poorly validated AI systems.
How it ties in to the course is how these tools are often accepted without much thought, reflecting our tendency to toward fast thinking, where we rely on intuition or trust in technology without analyzing evidence. Having the book named “AI Snake Oil” shows how many of these tools are marketed as flawless solutions yet often fails to deliver. AI is able to spot patterns, but that doesn’t mean they understand the problem, and often times include biases from following patterns that one implements. For example, having AI predict who gets hired by only following past hiring patterns. This is where critical thinking becomes essential. Rather than blindly accepting AI systems, the book urges us to question their validity and evaluate their real-world performance. By shifting from fast, intuitive thinking to a more deliberate, evidence-based mindset, we can better understand the limitations of AI and make more responsible decisions about how it’s used in society.
TED-TALK Self-Awareness and Critical Thinking in the Age of AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvWzQ1MmSns&pp=ygUYYWkgYW5kIGNyaXRpY2FsIHRoaW5raW5n
Blog Post #3 - End of the World
I was born before Y2K, but too young to experience the whole Y2K craze. Though when I started working at Best Buy around 2017, found a few old relics where one was a sticker that Best Buy used to gave out before Y2K, advising their customers to turn off their PC before 12 on New Year’s. You would think it was a joke sticker but when you actually see it and think about it, this really was a big event for people back then. Afraid of the world ending, and it was all because early computers weren’t capable to store large amounts of data. This follows up with 2012 too, as the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world as well. You have to wonder just how many people have made doomsday bunkers and are prepared for the worst. While do believe the world will end one day from the sun but from phenomena, not so much. Are you guys doomsday preppers? Do you have a bunker? If so, I’ll bring snacks and games! 😀
Blog Post #2 - 10% of Our Brain and Out of Body Experiences
Can minds leave bodies? Is it possible for one to experience such a thing? Many of the people would say they have with the use of psychedelics, such as shrooms, acid and marijuana. But others will say they have an out-of-body experience through religious activities or through dreams. An out-of-body experience (OBE) is defined as a phenomenon in which the center of consciousness appears to temporarily occupy a position spatially remote from one’s body. How these OBEs are caused, there isn’t an exact explanation, but few experts identified some possibilities such as, stress/trauma, medical conditions, sleep deprivation, or even near-death experiences.
I believe I have some out-of-body experiences in dreams and I know that it may be lucid dreams but often times, I would be in another location, on another time period whether it's a month from now or even years later, and it would pop in my head and say, “I’ve been here before.” so strange. Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?
Blog Post #1 - Jersey Devil (Cryptozoology)
Much like the Jersey Devil, Cryptids are animals or other beings whose existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by mainstream science. This field is considered as pseudoscience and focuses on creatures often described in folklore and legend. The Jersey Devil itself can be considered as a cryptid as it’s story often told in folklore and stories of it’s sighting and legend is spread across the Pine Barrens. Wendigos, a legend told in indigenous folklore, warns travelers of the consequences of cannibalism and greed. This tale is often told to travelers when traveling in cold weathers where it may lead them to starvation. Other tales, are often told of when humans are overpowered by greed, turning into wendigos.
More information about Wendigos and it’s popularity in today’s digital world and it’s various sightings: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/wendigo-folklore
A fun watch of Channel 5’s hunt for the Jersey Devil with Jersey Devil hunters : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwI9gn6XQD0&pp=ygUWY2hhbm5lbCA1IGplcnNleSBkZXZpbA%3D%3D
Monday, August 4, 2025
Post 3: Projective testing
In some of the old tv shows or movies, when a character is with a psychologist, the psychologist is typically holding up a piece of paper and facing it towards the character. They look at the character and say, "Tell me what you see" or "What do you see" or something else along those lines. Those messy blots of ink on paper later on after its creation used as a gag on tv and media are what's known as the Rorshach inkblot test. The test is grouped in alongside other similar personality tests and are known as the Projective tests,. These tests allow the person being tested to use unguided or "free-form responses" to answer questions or visualizes their own observations in an objective manner.
Although the tests are no longer all too popular or accurate, they are interesting as their original purpose was not meant to group people together but as a means for the psychologist to gain a better understanding of their patient, be it their emotional state, their interpersonal dynamics, or any sort of data needed that they could gain through the themes and patterns the psychologist would be able to garner from the way the tests were answered. Although no longer used as a proper official means with which to diagnose individuals, it is interesting that we have similar tests still today that are much more widespread and accessible to the everyday bored person, like the personality UQuizzes, Buzzfeed quizzes, or even National Geographic quizzes.
https://www.pbs.org/video/does-the-rorschach-inkblot-test-work-ratyaf/
https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-is-a-projective-test.html
Blog Post 2: 10%
There is a myth of how using more than 10% of a person’s brain can allow them to be able to use unlock unreal powers such as superhuman intelligence, the ability to learn or understand a foreign language in a short amount of time, or have the amazing capabilities to suddenly develop psychokinesis. As amazing as that sounds, it is not something that is feasibly possible in the real world. The myth was so popularized that it has been incorporated into media such as movies, books, and others, and is even believed in by individuals to this day. As unreal as it may be thought, there are those individuals who claim they can use psychic abilities such as Uri Geller and his magic tricks such as that of bending a metal spoon using his mind.
Although individuals like Uri will have you believe, or the belief itself being spurred on by modern media surrounding the topic, scientists have proven that the myth itself is not real, however what is real is that humans already use more than 10% of their brains. Not only that, but it is not the same part of the brain. Using scans such as MRI, PET, and CT’s scientists have been able to see the way the brain’s activity and it shows that while active, the brain lights up continuously as what is known as Sparse coding takes place. Sparse coding helps keep the body from using too much of the body's atp reserves by using only what is requires of the brain to be active in any given moment. This includes while the individual is asleep, as the only time a person's brain is not active and firing signals to through the billions of tightly packed neurons in the brain is when they are deceased.
https://youtu.be/5NubJ2ThK_U?feature=shared
The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories: How Our Brains Fill in the Gaps
Why do some individuals trust in conspiracy theories such as UFO cover-ups or hidden government schemes? A significant part of the explanation is how our brains instinctively seek to understand confusing or frightening information.As covered in this course, our brains desire clear narratives and coherent stories explanations that connect and make the world seem predictable. When information is lacking or illogical, our minds tend to fill in the blanks, often with ideas that appear reasonable but are false. This phenomenon is known as associative coherence, a mental shortcut that aids us in processing information swiftly. Adding confirmation bias, where we only recognize evidence that aligns with our existing beliefs, creates the ideal conditions for conspiracy thinking. Fear, uncertainty, and social pressure enhance this effect, leading entire groups to adopt and propagate these beliefs. Grasping these mental shortcuts not only helps us remain rational, it also fosters understanding of why individuals are drawn to conspiracies in the beginning. Awareness is the initial step toward escaping these cognitive traps and developing a more fact oriented perspective.
Blog Post 1: El Chupacabra
As of recently counted alongside the leagues of vampires in the bestiary of bloodsucking creatures, El Chupacabra has well earned its place amongst the halls of the blood eating creatures of the night.. Originating from Puerto Rico in mid 1990’s, it relied on the superstition garnered by confirmation bias from farmers and even some citizens stating sightings and the subsequent blame for the attacks and killings on livestock such as sheep, goats, and cows. Though there were sightings of the blood sucker, there were never any true bodies found other than those of its victims, however the sightings are great enough that they describe it looking reptilian and kangaroo-like with big red eyes and spines all along its back. It mostly seemed to go after goats therefore earning its name El Chupacabra or “goat sucker”.
The popular legend of the “goat sucker” spread throughout Mexico and parts of the United States, voyaging the creature from its roots in the farm lands on Puerto Rico. Wide spread tales of the creature seemed to manifest the myth into the physical realm as incidents and sightings began to show themselves. There are some differences though between the original El Chupacabra and the one spotted in Mexico and parts of the U.S however. For one it was more canine-like in their appearance and hairless. For another, actual bodies were recovered unlike the Chupacabra from Puerto Rico, although they were later identified after the necropsies as dogs or coyotes with mange or xolo dogs.
Chupacabra | Legend & Facts | Britannica
https://youtu.be/d-jkZE8AdLA?si=ESjlWT7pAvFY5tzY
Book Report - Fast Thinking and Flawed Beliefs: Cognitive Biases and the Paranormal
Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow delves into the two thinking systems that influence our choices: the fast, intuitive, and automatic system (System 1), and the slow, deliberate, and analytical system (System 2). Kahneman illustrates how these two thinking styles affect everything from everyday choices to intricate problem solving, often resulting in cognitive biases and mistakes. The book addresses a variety of psychological concepts, including heuristics, loss aversion, overconfidence, and framing effects. Ultimately, Kahneman provides a deep insight into how humans think, why we sometimes make irrational choices and how awareness of these patterns can improve our decision making.
The section that resonated with me was Kahneman’s discussion of Loss Aversion in chapter 26, which is the notion that individuals experience the pain of losses more intensely than the joy of equivalent gains. This idea directly relates to a topic we discussed in class regarding how individuals exert more effort to prevent losses than to seek gains. We tend to fear losses far more than we value gains of the same size. For example, losing $100 typically feels worse than the joy experienced from gaining $100. This disproportionate emotional weight causes us to behave irrationally, often avoiding risk even when the odds are in our favor. It also clarifies why we cling to poor investments or remain in unproductive situations. This directly connects to a concept we covered in class: the Sunk Cost Fallacy, where people continue investing time, money, or effort into something unproductive simply to avoid the psychological "loss" of giving it up.
This topic also directly connects to our discussions on pseudoscience and the paranormal, where biases like Confirmation Bias and the Halo Effect 😇 are often exploited. Kahneman covers these ideas in earlier sections, illustrating how fast thinking (System 1) can lead us to accept vague or misleading claims, just like those often made by psychics, mediums, or fortune tellers. By understanding how easily System 1 can mislead us, we become better equipped to engage our critical, System 2 thinking when evaluating extraordinary claims. This book reinforces a key theme from our class: that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and avoiding mental shortcuts is essential for critical thinking.
📹 Video Recommendation
Title: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman | Animated Book Summary
Summary: This animated summary dives into the fundamental ideas of Kahneman's book, showcasing the two modes of thinking: System 1 (quick, instinctive) and System 2 (slow, thoughtful). The video examines how these systems affect our decision-making and the cognitive biases that stem from them. This video serves as a valuable resource to complement our understanding of the material discussed in the text and detailed insights into the complexities of human cognition and decision making.
Book Report: How The World Works by Vaclav Smil
General Overview: “How the World Really Works" by Vaclav Smil is a clear data driven exploration of the needed systems that support modern civilization. Smil examines how our world operates in seven fundamental areas including energy, food production, material manufacturing, globalization, and the environment , showing the overlooked physical realities behind everyday life. He goes into detail on how deeply our lives depend on fossil fuels, industrial agriculture, and global trade, while also exploring the risks and limitations of transitions to green alternatives.
Rather than offering predictions or ideological arguments, Smil pushes us to think critically about the future. His main message is that meaningful progress requires understanding how things actually work, not how we wish they work. The book challenges both technological optimism and climate alarmism, offering a balanced, fact based foundation for anyone interested in the l challenges of sustainability and global change.
Favorite Part: My favorite part of "How the World Really Works" is the chapter on “The Environment”, where Smil takes a grounded approach to the complex issue of climate change. Instead of relying on fear based messaging or vague promises of a green future, Smil presents clear data about emissions, energy use, and the true scale of our environmental impact. What stood out most to me was his explanation of how carbon dioxide emissions are not just the result of driving cars or flying planes, but are deeply embedded in the very materials that make up our world, such as cement, steel, and plastics. These are not luxuries, but essentials for our lives to function, and they cannot currently be produced without fossil fuels.
Related to the class: You can relate it back to the Ways of thinking. In todays civilization, there is a lot of ways that people tend to think. When you think about Smil take on how the world works. the first thing I think about is the environment. Because with worlds climate change today, I feel as tho there is not alot of critical thinking happening and it feels like decisions are being mad very quick without much thought put into which is very censoring. Especially when it comes to cutting federal funding that supports helping with climate change which becomes a big problem.
My Personal Extension: As I reading, I've to the Conclusion that, Smil Book on "How the World Works" can 100% help solve real world problems. Whether that be Food producing, Trade, Climate Change, etc. there are so many major problems that many people of brush off of just don't really know what to do about it. There can be change in the world and I believe that Smil can open the eyes of a lot of people to help put a change into the world. We can all make the world a better place.
Creative:
https://youtu.be/OAPtj0RSL0I?si=UlHjC4_3bOhCaUdA
Book Report Post: Viral BS by Dr. Seema Yasmin
General Overview: Viral BS is a well written book by Dr. Seema Yasmin in which she picks over 40 different medical myths and sorts through the truths from all the lies and misconceptions surrounding these topics. She goes through by debunking fact from fiction in medical experiments some by which are over 50 years old. Specifically using scientific logic by breaking down opposing sides to the myths by using the cold hard facts to separate whats true from not only lies but peoples beliefs that don't add up to the professional results from studies done from across various experiments. She shows how just because you read something on social media or in a paper there is much more that goes into distinguishing whats proven and what is false. Furthermore, the book goes into detail on how to break down what is a misconception and what is not. Through various real stories in every myth that is presented from what she has seen or heard from around the world. To add, she talks about the use of celebrities and powerful figures that company's use to promote a brand for sales, even with the knowledge that these people don't use or take the product that their trying to sell themselves. As well as that misconception and false truths unfortunately spread faster than the truth which should be out for patients and customers who need to be hearing it. Further discussing why false stories spread so quick and why being open minded but skeptical about the things you hear and read isn't all that bad. People will make a story but at what cost. Someones personal belief isn't as important as someones life depending on the situation, for fear and misinformation spreads fast which fuel panic and poor decisions. Conspiracy theories continue to spread and create deeper distrust in doctors and science.
Favorite Part: My favorite part of the book was a chapter called "Do vaccines cause autism". I chose this chapter specifically because I myself heard this numerous times when people talk about the vaccine, to add when Covid came around I was able to see and hear it for myself. I feel as if when people talk about covid, I would hear some people saying how you have to get the vaccines to be safe and others on the complete opposite side. Specifically saying how getting the vaccine would be either deadly or can cause serious health issues and in this case autism. The reason this relates to what we have covered in class is it ties into pseudoscience and mass delusion, which is shown throughout the chapter by opposing views being based off personal beliefs. Also, alot of people who are opposing the vaccine have a false belief caused by fear and misinformation. As well as mass hysteria by a bunch of people posting videos or showing similar symptoms of fainting or bad reactions and claiming it was definitely the vaccine without scientific evidence or critical thinking to prove what they were saying was accurate.
Related to class: This book ties into and relates to what we have discussed in class because just like one of my blogs posted on "The Jersey Devil" its all about hearsay and not one piece of evidence. Every myth that is talked about includes misinformation which keeps spreading but no actually proof is used in reasoning. The common theme between this book and the class is examples of pseudoscience. Its all about a collection of beliefs mistakenly being based off of truth and some type of scientific reasoning although people reasoning is personal beliefs. The theories that are trying to be proven in any case in the book or in lectures such as "The Jersey Devil" or "Salem Witch Trials" aren't through any critical thinking and spreads through people with the same view which is false truth. Furthermore, showing why using credible scientific evidence is important when seeking or looking at information. To add, the class and book both give insight on how to debunk information.
Personal Extension: Yes, while discussing this book it can absolutely help solve real world problems as well as address current issues at this time. By debunking medical myths, it can address issues of people and patients who don't trust doctors who in reality are experienced and licensed professionals in the healthcare industry. By addressing the issue of people not trusting doctors, people are making poor health decisions, avoiding beneficial treatments and engaging in risky behavior which could end in serious illness or possibly death. In essence by rebuilding a healthier society by trying to eliminate misinformation it can also help evidence-based decisions and restore the truth in healthcare. Furthermore, this can help eliminate ineffective treatments or ways that don't show evidence based decisions which benefit both patients and communities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSKGa_7XJkg
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