A Field Guide to Lies

More about the book

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE ORGANIZED MIND and THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON MUSIC comes a vital guide to critical thinking in an age overwhelmed by information. Each day, we face a deluge of misleading data, half-truths, and outright lies, particularly during election season. Daniel J. Levitin equips readers with the tools to identify deceptive statistics, graphs, and reports, revealing how misinformation can easily infiltrate our lives. Distinguishing between misinformation, pseudo-facts, and reliable information is increasingly challenging. Levitin categorizes his insights into statistical information and faulty arguments, emphasizing that science is foundational to critical thinking. Infoliteracy involves recognizing the varying quality and bias of sources that distort our information feeds across all media, including social platforms. While we often expect accuracy from newspapers, bloggers, and even Wikipedia, they frequently fall short. To navigate this landscape successfully, we must engage critically with the information we encounter, assessing its plausibility and reasoning rather than accepting it blindly. Levitin's engaging and accessible guide empowers readers to avoid the pitfalls of gullibility and cynicism, helping them uncover truths and recognize deceitful tactics.