Required reading during an election campaign

“Reception and Detection of Pseudo-Profound Bullshit”

By Marc Abrahams in Improbable Research

Bullshit and academia continue their delighted dance. Behold a new study:

“On the Reception and Detection of Pseudo-Profound Bullshit,”Gordon Pennycook, James Allan Cheyne, Nathaniel Barr, Derek J. Koehler, and Jonathan A. Fugelsang, Judgment and Decision Making, Vol. 10, No. 6, November 2015, pp. 549–563. The authors, at the University of Waterloo, explain:

“Although bullshit is common in everyday life and has attracted attention from philosophers, its reception (critical or ingenuous) has not, to our knowledge, been subject to empirical investigation.

“Here we focus on pseudo-profound bullshit, which consists of seemingly impressive assertions that are presented as true and meaningful but are actually vacuous.

Songs of the Season - Winter Concert Series

the Baker Brothers Trio - A Jazzy Christmas

 Friday, December 4th at 7pm - Cross Mills Public Library

 

All are welcome!

Another day in America

One of George W. Bush’s least-heralded achievements

Former U.S. Special Forces Commander Confirms: Bush Invasion Of Iraq Created ISIS

By Stephen D Foster Jr

The former commander of U.S. Special Forces under President George W. Bush put the nail in the coffin once and for all about who is responsible for the rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and guess what, conservatives? It’s NOT President Obama.

Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn is now retired, so he has no problem setting history straight. During an interview with German newspaper Der Spiegel, Flynn admitted that the Bush administration was “too dumb” to realize they had captured Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. 

So they released him because they didn’t deem him a threat. Now, the guy is the top commander of the terrorist group known as ISIS. Here is a bit of the transcript of that interview:

Speaking truth to the Speaker

Racial poverty and prejudice persists in many ways

By Harry Rix in Rhode Island’s Future

“I don’t think there is a white privilege.” – RI House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello

Rhode Island’s Democratic Speaker on race: “I don’t think anybody in society views any particular nationality as having any privilege over any other.”

This denies the experiences of many minorities. 

They know whites have greater privileges in education, employment, housing, banking and criminal justice.

Hardships perpetuate one another: Poor education leads to poor job prospects—and these impoverish housing opportunities. 

Payday lenders scam often poor minorities who also suffer increased arrests, bail, sentences and fines.

Rhode Island’s fourth-grade reading proficiency is 48 percent for whites; 18 percent for blacks; 17 percent for Latinos. Should we blame minority kids? No, students from low-income families score 19 percent, so poor minorities rank far lower than students from white families with better schools.

Allies of ISIS

For more cartoons by Ruben Bolling, CLICK HERE.

Both sides do it?

Common kitchen practices detrimental to tomato aroma

Study finds refrigeration, blanching reduce fresh tomatoes' fragrance

American Society for Horticultural Science

Aroma, which is produced by a complex mixture of volatile compounds, plays an important role in consumers' perceptions of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

For example, studies have shown that the familiar aroma of fresh tomatoes has diminished during the last 50 years -- and less fresh tomato aroma is leading to more consumer complaints. 

The authors of a recent study say that not only do pre- and post-production practices such as time of harvest, use of plant growth regulators, and storage temperature/atmosphere affect tomato aroma, common kitchen practices such as refrigeration and blanching are also detrimental.

The report in HortScience is one of a series on tomato postharvest practices studies led by Jinhe Bai of the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Is the proposed new RI gas pipeline safe?

Former inspectors allege safety issues with Spectra pipeline project

By Steve Ahlquist in Rhode Island's Future

Two safety inspectors who worked on Spectra Energy’s proposed methane gas pipeline that will cut through Burrillville, RI, say the company cut corners when it came to project, worker and environmental safety.

“Right now, what they’re hoping to do, is they’re hoping to slam all this through, and then at the end ask for forgiveness,” said one of the former inspectors. “Oops, sorry about that, I didn’t know, let me write you a check. Because once this thing’s turning meter, they’re going to be making millions of dollars a day. It doesn’t matter what your problems are…”

The other added, “We were told to shut the fuck up or quit.”

Climate rally in South County

Nice turn-out in SK to protest against Climate Change

From Fossil Free Rhode Island

Peace Dale RI-November 30, 2015- Over 100 people gathered yesterday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County (UUCSC) in Peace Dale to send a message to world leaders meeting in Paris that they demand strong, concrete commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

This was followed by a walk to Dale Carlia Corner where the marchers displayed signs and waved to passersby, many of whom honked in support.

The crowd was a mix of people of all ages; most were from South Kingstown, but some came from other parts of the state or were visiting relatives for Thanksgiving. Jean Fogelberg Bowen, a South Kingstown resident and a member of UUCSC, posted afterwards “Signs, young people, community and congregations come together today. Great event!”

They're ALL suspects!

For more cartoons from Jen Sorenson, CLICK HERE.

Paddle Across Rhode Island Presentation

On Thursday December 3rd at 6:00 PM, please join Chuck Horbert at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center at 50 Bend Rd. in Charlestown, RI as he presents an interesting and entertaining slide show about his adventure paddling across RI in July, 2014.

Chuck Horbert, Jim Cole, Dave Smith, and Billy Luther are the first paddlers to ever to paddle the length of Rhode Island from Woonsocket to Westerly, camping along the way. Come relive the journey with him Thursday--it was quite a trip!

If you are interested in seeing the slide show of this epic paddling trip, this may be the last time Chuck presents it in our area, so we hope you can make it.

Make them accountable

Why Hate Speech by Presidential Candidates is Despicable

By Robert Reich

On Friday, a gunman killed three at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado. Later, in explaining his motive to the police, he said “no more baby parts.”

Last Monday, gunmen opened fire on Black Lives Matter protesters in Minneapolis who were demanding action against two white Minneapolis police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark, 24, an unarmed black man, on Nov. 15.

Evidence shows the accused shooters were linked to white supremacist organizations operating online.

Meanwhile, the FBI reports an upturn in threats on mosques and Muslims in the United States.

In Connecticut, police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots fired at a local mosque. Two Tampa Bay-area mosques in Florida received threatening phone messages. One of the calls threatened a firebombing.

In an Austin suburb, leaders of the Islamic Center of Pflugerville discovered feces and torn pages of the Qur’an.

Hate crimes will never be eliminated entirely. A small number of angry, deranged people inevitably will vent their rage at groups they find threatening. Some will do so violently.

But this doesn’t absolve politicians who have been fueling such hatefulness.

Charlestown Parks & Rec announces holiday events

Upcoming Winter Events Sponsored by Charlestown Parks and Recreation There are some great events for the upcoming holidays - mark your calendars!  Season's greetings to you and yours! Friday, December 4th from 5:30 to 7:30pm The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Town Hall will be held on Friday. Included at this event will be: caroling by the Chariho Middle School Chorus, a snack and craft.  Also, there will be rideable animals (Rudolph and Snow Cat the Siberian Tiger are animatronic, ride-on walking animals), which are sponsored by Arrowhead Dental Associates.  There will be a visit from the jolly white bearded man - Santa, so be sure to bring your camera!   Friday, December 4th 5:30 to 7:30PM  2nd Annual Heart of the Holidays Gingerbread Competition. Design a Gingerbread House to be displayed at the Charlestown Town Hall Christmas Tree Lighting.  Please pick up your edible house following the event or feel free to donate them to the children.  You may drop them off on Friday, December 4th by 5:30pm.  Please leave a notecard if the house is edible or contains peanuts or peanut oils.   Thursday, December 10th at 10:30am    Make your own Boxwood Tree at the Charlestown Senior Community Center.  The cost is $50/person.  Please register by December 3rd - call 364-9955 to register.  This class is offered by the Sr. Community Center and Clark Farms.   Thursday, December 14th Last day to drop off Personal Care Items.  Personal Care Stockings will be collected in the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department for children in the care and custody of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.  Items such as toothbrushes/toothpaste, deodorant/facial soap and shampoo will be very much appreciated.  All items need to be dropped off at Town Hall by Monday, December 14th.   Thursday, December 31st 4:30 - 7:30pm. Annual free Bonfire on New Year's Eve at Ninigret Park.  There will be a limited supply of hot chocolate and donuts donated by Dunkin Donuts.  Bring your family and friends for this New Year's Eve tradition.  Financial donations will be collected for "Colors for a Cause Rhode Island", in order to raise awareness of childhood cancer and help to support those families affected with this disease. Feel free to contact our department for further information!! Sincerely, CHARLESTOWN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 364-1222

What could go wrong?

Robot to help passengers find their way at airport

Örebro Universitet

The robot in the "Spencer" project is now all set to face the real world at the major international airport Schiphol in Amsterdam. Its mission: to help passengers find their way around the airport.

Contributions from researchers at Örebro University in Sweden have enabled the robot to map its surroundings. The project is funded by the European Commission and is a collaboration between researchers and businesses in five different countries.

"Navigating an airport is challenging, there is a lot of glass and a constantly changing environment in terms of temporary obstructions, such as parked luggage trolleys and people everywhere," says Achim Lilienthal, professor of computer science and project leader of Örebro University's contribution to the research project.