How to spot fake news and avoid bias – your guide to better (Critical) Thinking

London, UK. How can we make the most of the resources at our fingertips while retaining a sense of control and understanding? How, moreover, can we make the most of the human capacity for reasoning and creativity in an age where technologies like big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are encroaching on areas of expertise? Critical Thinking by British writer, broadcaster and tech philosopher, Tom Chatfield offers an expert guide to a 21^st century environment submersed with information technology.

We are constantly overwhelmed by streams of information. Using our digital devices ceaselessly we gather, reshape and create information. And, increasingly, information systems autonomously create outcomes that shape our world – from AI drawing on big data to billions of networked devices tracking our every action. Both the significance and sheer volume of this information make the question of how we engage with it a vital one. Tom Chatfield argues:

“Whether you're a student, a researcher or just a reader of news today, you are bombarded with perspectives, propaganda and opportunities. How do you best engage with this? How do you think for yourself? How do you ascertain what is truth and false? Disruption is now the rule rather than the exception in our society and, in order to stay relevant and confident, we need to think analytically both about and beyond the offerings of automated systems.”

In his latest text, published by SAGE Publishing, Chatfield calls upon the reader to question and acknowledge what it means to critically engage and what is required for clear thought and study. An essential guide for the discerning student, researcher or your continually curious family member, Critical Thinking will guide you through the skills needed for effective argument, successful analysis and independent study.

“Many researchers and workers aren’t confident about becoming autonomous learners, sorting the good from the bad and creating their own arguments”, states Chatfield. “This book will support their learning journey towards full autonomy, breaking down the skills of critical thought, and enabling readers to become independent users and evaluators of information.”                 

On publication of the text, SAGE’S President of Global Publishing, Ziyad Marar commented:

“I can’t recall a time when a book like this has seemed so necessary. In the years I’ve known Tom he has shown repeatedly his ability to combine brilliant analyses with great clarity. It’s wonderful to see these qualities in such abundance in his wonderful new book. I’m very proud that SAGE is publishing this book and that the SAGE team have designed it so beautifully!”

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Critical Thinking: Your guide to effective argument, successful analysis and independent study, published by SAGE Publishing, 1st November 2017.

More information on the text and its purchase options can be found here.

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Tom Chatfield (@TomChatfield) is a British writer, broadcaster and tech philosopher. He’s interested in improving our experiences of digital technology, and better understanding its use through critical thought. His six books exploring digital culture – most recently How to Thrive in the Digital Age (Pan Macmillan) and Live This Book! (Penguin) – have appeared in over two dozen countries and languages. He lives near London with his family. http://tomchatfield.net/