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Author Topic:   Learning By Search Engine
Phat
Member
Posts: 18647
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 4.3


Message 1 of 2 (903746)
12-16-2022 8:40 AM


Which Forum?
As I was responding to Theodoric this morning, I made a statement listing Matt Dillahunty. Basically, I accused him (or criticized) him as being just as guilty (as an atheist) of earning a living through professional argumentation and selling books. Upon sending that statement, I felt a twinge of guilt regarding my academic assertion (sloppiness) and went to the search engine to support my off-the-cuff claim.(notice my intent was to support rather than challenge my own argument)
All that I typed in was "Books by Matt Dillahunty". On that one hit, my query was answered (he has one book at least, Deconverted ) but the search engine opened up a mini course in thinking should I so wish to explore it!
Search Engine writes:
  • Who did Matt Dillahunty have a falling out with?
  • Who is Matt Dillahunty wife?
  • How old is Matt Dillahunty?
  • Is the atheist experience still on?
  • Who is Arden of Eden?
  • Who is Jenna Belk?
  • What religion is closest to atheism?
  • Who is the oldest atheist?
    Is atheism older than Christianity?
  • Who is the blue-haired girl in Eden?
  • What does the Forest of Arden symbolize in As You Like It?
  • Why is the Forest of Arden in As You Like It called a golden world?
  • What country is mostly atheist?
  • What is it called when you believe in God but don t go to church?
  • What is the #1 religion in the world?
    Feedback
  • So of course I was curious about who he had a falling out with!
    Who did Matt Dillahunty have a falling out with?
    In March 2014, Dillahunty debated Clinton Wilcox, who is not a member of Secular Pro-Life, though the debate was advertised on their blog. The aftermath led to a falling out with the organization, and Dillahunty announced in a Facebook post that he would not debate them in public again.
    Now I had never heard of Clinton Wilcox but I now have the option to look him up if I have the time!
    I was also curious about
  • Who is Arden of Eden?
    So I expanded the link.
    Who is Arden of Eden?
    After releasing several successful indie albums on her own, Mary Arden Collins listened to the voices inside her head telling her that it was time for a new adventure. Keeping the pop melodies and poetic lyrics intact, ARDEN of EDEN was born, adding new musical collaborations and white go-go boots.
    It was irrelevant information, but I asked Alexa to play songs by Mary Arden Collins. I just listened to a few. Am I on the road to hell for letting Google teach me to fraternize with search engine algorithms? Is it in any way helpful to think this way?
    It is most definitely outside my usual and historical methodology!
    AddByEdit
    I also expanded the link on "Who Is Jenna Balk"?
    Look at all I found based on just that one sub-link from one question regarding Matts book!
    Cateschism -- An Ex-Catholic Atheist's Story
    Now look at where the rabbit trail is meandering!
    quote:
    The Catholic Church is one of the oldest, wealthiest, most influential, and most centralized religious institutions in the world, claiming unbroken apostolic succession and divine mandate beyond scripture for nearly two millennia. Like hundreds of millions the world over, Jenna Belk was raised to find belonging in its fold, and answers in its teachings. Once having prepared herself to serve the Church, she is today not only an atheist, but is one of the most public and active advocates for atheism in her generation, while also promoting curiosity and kindness in the community. The Secular Society of MIT is proud to have her as the featured speaker for the 9th episode of our "Out And Out" ex-believer story-sharing series.
    (Wonder what Dredge would think of this? )
    I am scared of an evil force directing the rabbit trail yet fascinated with the knowledge that the search engine opens me up to!
    quote:
    About Jenna Belk:
    Jenna Belk was raised in a strict Catholic household in a family of 9. She believed in a god with her whole heart until her early twenties. She began working to become a youth minister before discovering her struggle with addiction. Because of this, she was very politely asked to try again later. After that, Jenna began to wander, originally searching for belonging, and finally, desperately seeking answers. Once and for all, her "god glasses" shattered, and she began her journey of redefining herself and influencing the world around her.
    She's honored to be a rotating co-host on The Atheist Experience, and guest hosts on other shows put on by the Atheist Community of Austin. She has since begun creating some shows of her own, with the goal of sharing a more balanced atheist perspective, avoiding extremes, and promoting curiosity, education, and humility. Her current projects are Atheistasis, Carrot Noisis, and Jennasis, for learning, painting, and meditating. She is also now one of the hosts of an up-and-coming peer call-in show with Your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist, called The Ethan and Jenna Show, introducing many unique topics promoting mental health awareness. She’s thrilled to have any part of the movement to try and bridge the gap between atheists and theists.
    More at jennabelk | Twitter, Facebook, Twitch | Linktree

    I won't judge Jenna Balk as being a bad person simply because she is an atheist. I believe that God uses atheists even more effectively than He can influence Believers to do.

  • Replies to this message:
     Message 2 by Phat, posted 02-01-2023 9:37 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18647
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 4.3


    Message 2 of 2 (905628)
    02-01-2023 9:37 AM
    Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
    12-16-2022 8:40 AM


    Searching Critically vs Following Algorithms
    Can one of the admins put this in the coffee house? I dont want to lose the context of the initial post (12/16/22) but I am realizing the limitations of search engine "learning" as it relates to confirmation bias and in light of my critical thinking philosophy class.
    Algorithms can only guide a discussion so far.

    The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.” - Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You (1894).
    When both religious and non-religious people reach the same conclusions then you know religion isn't the reason.--Percy
    Democrats should not be the only party. Respect the two-party system. -Phat, in December 2022
    We see Monsters where Science shows us Windmills.~Phat, remixed

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by Phat, posted 12-16-2022 8:40 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

      
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