What’s the big worry if some choose not to use critical thinking? The tragic answer is: at least 368,379 people killed; 306,096 injured; and over $2,815,931,000 in economic damages.
What’s the Harm? is a project of Tim Farley, a software engineer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He says:
I created the site to help educate the public about the power of critical thinking, and the danger of neglecting it. It is a personal project. It is not sponsored by any organization and does not pursue any hidden agenda, other than promoting critical thinking.
On Tim’s site you’ll find a categorical listing of damage done by various sorts of non-critical thinking. He chronicles harm in the areas of: Medical; Supernatural & Paranormal; Pseudo-Science; Religion; Misinformation; Fears; and Miscellaneous.
Tim notes that he is not necessarily opposed to any of the specific practices listed, but that he is “against anything that is based on or promoted via misinformation.”
Other topics are listed here because people take them to extremes or misuse them in various ways. For example clearly I am not against the Internet, or else why would I have a website? Similarly I am not against GPS systems, vegetarianism, or home childbirth. What I am against is people engaging in these practices (particularly for philosophical or religious reasons) without carefully considering risks and otherwise doing proper homework. You should always avail yourself of the best information you can before you make any important decision.
It’s a valuable resource and a strong deterrent to those who would rely on superstition, folk remedies, or heresay in the absence of critical thinking.
Mike Treder is the Managing Director of the IEET, and former Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Responsible Nanotechnology.