Gear & Grit Dispatch - 345

Think critically, ignore the rest...

Dec 07, 2023

Critical thinking, defined as the capacity to objectively analyze information and make informed judgments, remains a vital skill in this era of abundant information. However, the increasing prevalence of misinformation and disinformation on the internet complicates the task of discerning valuable and trustworthy content amidst the overwhelming influx of data.

Therefore, as highlighted by a team of cognitive scientists in their Conversation article, merely relying on critical thinking falls short in today's context. They emphasize the pressing necessity to incorporate an additional skill into our skillset: critical ignoring. This involves the deliberate and strategic management of our attention in the digital realm.

Critical ignoring is the ability to choose what to ignore and where to invest one’s limited attentional capacities. Critical ignoring is more than just not paying attention – it’s about practising mindful and healthy habits in the face of information overabundance.

The authors identified three key strategies for practicing critical ignoring:

Self-Nudging: Customize your digital environment for productivity and well-being by eliminating distracting notifications and scheduling specific times for message reception.
Lateral Reading: Establish the credibility of online information by researching the source in new browser tabs before engaging with the content, emulating professional fact-checkers' techniques.
Do-Not-Feed-the-Trolls Heuristic: Avoid engaging with online trolls and malicious actors; instead, focus on blocking, reporting, and relying on transparent content moderation policies.

Although these strategies might seem straightforward, their clear articulation and distinctive naming are crucial in educating others about robust digital information literacy. We’ve got a hard couple of years ahead in the US, I’ll take any strategy available to make it a little better. — Kevin

On Gear & Grit this Week

🚀 Zwift's Game-Changing Update: "Reach new heights in virtual cycling with Zwift's latest update, featuring Level 100 and an enhanced Drop Shop experience that transforms your digital ride." Explore the update here.
🏔️ Thrills and Hills: "Experience the grueling challenge of Pittsburgh's Dirty Dozen bike race, a true test of endurance and strength for cyclists who dare to conquer its steep hills." Join the challenge here.
🚵 Does Cycling Help You Lose Weight?: "Discover the truth behind cycling's impact on weight loss and how this beloved sport can be part of your fitness journey." Uncover the facts here.
🥗 Fuel Your Rides: "Learn about the lifesaving benefits of dietary fiber and how it can not only power your rides but also enhance your overall health." Get the nutritional insights here.
🌲 The BOLT Act's Leap Forward: "A significant milestone for outdoor enthusiasts, the BOLT Act promises new adventures and opportunities for exploration." Discover more here.
📱 Strava's Evolution: "From activity tracker to social hub, Strava's new messaging feature redefines how athletes connect and share their experiences." Explore Strava's journey here.
🔧 Made 2024: "Celebrate the art of handmade bikes and artisan craftsmanship, a true homage to the skill and dedication of bike builders." Experience the craft here.

The Gear I Loved this Week

All-City Cosmic Stallion

🌌 All-City Cosmic Stallion: "Witness the grand finale from All-City Cycles with the Cosmic Stallion Titanium Frameset, blending style and performance." See the masterpiece here.

From Around the Web

📚 "A Year of Bookish Delights: Maureen Corrigan's Top 10 Picks!" - Despite a year marred by book bans, Fresh Air's book critic, Maureen Corrigan, reminds us that 2023 was also an outstanding year for reading with her eclectic top-10 list featuring everything from charged memoirs to incisive cultural criticism and gripping tales of shipwreck.

🕰️ "Workaholics Beware: Overtime Could Be Deadly!" - According to a study by the International Labor Organization, working more than 55 hours a week is linked to around 750,000 deaths annually worldwide.

🌍 "History's Lessons on Catastrophes": Analyzing historical catastrophes and extinctions, the article suggests that while stories are great for conveying risks, they're not so hot at predicting future disasters; instead, looking at past events can give us a better idea of what to expect - turns out we should be keeping an eye on epidemics, famines, wars and climate changes. 😬

🏠 "Private Equity Firms: The New Kids on the Block in Single-Family Home Market" - In 2023, private equity firms were responsible for a whopping 44% of all single-family home purchases, making them the new real estate moguls on the block.

🤯 "When Math Gets Too Big for the Universe": Researchers have discovered that the complexity of vector addition systems (VAS) reachability problem is so high, it involves numbers too large to even exist in our universe - talk about an overachiever!

📚 "NPR's Bookworms Reveal Their 2023 Faves!" - NPR staff and critics share their top 12 book recommendations from 2023, ranging from a metafictional biography of an enigmatic artist to a nail-biting thriller set in the world of book publishing.

🚀 "Zoom Past Ads with Ad Speedup!" - This Chrome extension called Ad Speedup lets you experience YouTube ads at 16x speed, automatically mutes them and even works alongside your existing ad blockers for a seamless, uninterrupted viewing experience.

🌍 "Faircado: The Eco-Friendly Amazon Alternative!" - Faircado is a free online tool that helps you find the best pre-owned items from over 55 partners, saving your wallet and the planet one second-hand purchase at a time.

🤦‍♂️ "Inventor's Regret: K-Cup Creator Wishes He'd Never Brewed Up the Idea!" - John Sylvan, the guy who invented K-Cups 20 years ago, is now scratching his head in disbelief at their popularity and environmental impact, wishing he could hit the 'undo' button on his creation.