Staff Reports
The American Psychological Association has unveiled its latest effort to help American youth navigate the treacherous waters of reality by teaching them to expertly dismiss their own instincts. Their new book, designed to train the youth to gobble up whatever the “authorities” declare as truth—clearly including the esteemed APA itself—promises a delightful journey into the world of critical thinking. Of course, this critical thinking conveniently excludes any viewpoints that diverge from the mainstream narrative, especially those pesky ideas lurking on the internet that evade the watchful gaze of the “gatekeepers.”
The book aims to enlighten young readers about the complexities of human cognition, stressing that misconceptions, wild guesses, and the notorious “misuse of scientific findings” often lead unsuspecting minds astray. This summary-of-sorts implies that the only path to enlightenment is through the authorized insights of academia and other official channels, while the genuine conversations that spring from various social media platforms are relegated to the realm of misinformation. One must wonder whether the mega-contradictions—like the utterly baseless theories surrounding COVID or the delusional claims about chromosomes—will find their way into the book’s disinformation hall of shame.
In a stunning twist that demonstrates the elite’s grasp of irony, the APA suggests that merely posing a question can help spread disinformation. The organization seems intent on ensuring that children understand that if it isn’t served on a shiny platter from corporate media outlets, it’s probably not worth believing. It appears that “gatekeeping” is a euphemism for censorship, carefully cloaked in the language of safety. Those questioning the official narratives are warned that without the good graces of traditional media’s oversight, the wild, unruly internet might lead them astray—a charming touch coming from an institution that ostensibly promotes the pursuit of knowledge.
NEW: The American Psychological Association (APA) is mis/disinforming kids with its new kid's book, on mis/disinformation. 🧵/1
True or False? The Science of Perception, Misinformation, and Disinformation pic.twitter.com/cDidX5IUTJ
— Matt Orfalea (@0rf) September 20, 2024
Some of the more eyebrow-raising content in the book appears to include the notion that objectively examining Hillary Clinton’s electoral defeat as a loss to a “vast right-wing conspiracy” holds any weight in the realm of sound judgment. The book goes on to blame conspiracy theorists for allegedly exacerbating the COVID-19 crisis, which raises the critical question: can one use facts to challenge unwarranted claims? This ironic twist just emphasizes how easily this type of glaring bias seeps into materials marketed as educational.
To cap off this delightful summary of modern higher education, readers are treated to the spectacle of prominent serious concerns, including the fictional narrative of systemic workplace threats to African Americans from white supremacy. As if that wasn’t enough, the book’s author, Jacqueline B. Toner, seems to fit the mold of a classic portrayal of the academia persona—think middle-aged cat lady complete with prescription lizard eyes, a fitting face for a narrative filled with questionable assertions and doubled-down assumptions. It seems that the APA is advocating for a new generation of professionally indoctrinated young adults who follow along with approved sentiments and shun anything that might cause them to think differently.
