About book Nonsense: Red Herrings, Straw Men And Sacred Cows: How We Abuse Logic In Our Everyday Language (2007)
This is a downright excellent book IMHO. Mr. Gula would be proud of my adding IMHO, because saying it's excellent would not necessarily make it true.In the beginning of the book the author says this "It is a natural human tendency to be subjective rather than objective, the untrained mind will usually take the path of least resistance. The path of least resistance is rarely through reason." That being said I think everyone who can read should read this book. The value comes from his ability to offer a simple verbal illustration of each item it offers. He critiques the way we speak, hear, make decisions and understand a myriad of things. The author points out that most, if not all people, at some time or another project their own biases or experiences upon situations, generalizing from a specific event, getting personally involved in the analysis of an issue and letting their feelings overcome a sense of objectivity. Many people are not good listeners, nor critical readers, they hear selectively and read words that aren't there to help them argue a point. If you are honest with yourself you will see mistakes you've made from cover to cover in this book. Today is the day to say no more red herrings, straw men, double standards, appeals to fear, over simplification, hasty generalizations, and for pete's sake no more Tu quoque, no one cares if your parents, siblings or friends are dumb as a rock you don't have to be. :)5 stars for the layman, 3 to 4 for someone who has taken courses in logic, debate, philosophy etc.
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