Wisdom Builder

Three Tidbit Stories

Topic:

Our Time

1950 to current issues.

MODE:

Speed: 1.00

Our Time.

3 random tidbit stories in about 3 minutes.

Idea 1.

A Our Time Story.

Animal Vocabulary: Thousands of Words (The Great Apes).

circa 15 Million Years Ago

Inferior frontal gyrus homologues, Mirror neuron systems

Since before the orangutan branched about 12 million years ago, all the great ape species had a vocabulary—signals, gestures, grunts, and screams—in various contexts, potentially ranging into the thousands. These early apes communicated with not only a wide variety of sounds and gestures but also different levels or gradations of these signals. For instance, one type of scream might indicate danger from above, while another might signal danger on the ground. Depending on the situation, the scream could represent danger at a distance, an immediate personal threat, approaching danger, or imminent danger. Similarly, the same sound could have variations to signal that an attack is in progress or that one just occurred.

Imagined Image: Found in Europe, Rudapithecus hungaricus likely lived from about 12 to 10 million years ago but was not likely our direct-line ancestor. It likely had a vocabulary similar to orangutans today, ranging into the thousands of gestures, grunts, and screams in various contexts

I wrote that Our Time Story,

and posted it to TST 2 years ago.

Idea 2.

A Our Time FAQ.

What is the difference between anthropology and paleontology?.

In my writing, a question like this falls within critical thinking because the philosophy of science is about inquiry. How we think. In this case, who does what is part of Idea Evaluation, one of the Five Thought Tools.

Both anthropology and paleontology explore the past. Anthropology explores our history back to the emergence of Homo habilis 2.3 million years ago. Paleontology explores the fossil record all the way back to LUCA about 3.6 billion years ago.

Anthropology focuses on the study of humans, their cultures, behaviors, and biological evolution. It includes subfields like cultural anthropology, which examines societal structures and traditions. It also includes biological anthropology, which studies human evolution and adaptation.

Paleontology, on the other hand, investigates ancient life forms through the study of fossils. All fields always overlap, paleontologists primarily examine the fossilized remains of plants, animals, and microorganisms to understand prehistoric ecosystems and the history of life on Earth.

Many fields can overlap and get blurry. Paleoanthropology draws heavily on paleontological techniques to study ancient hominins and their environments. Archaeology examines past human cultures through material remains, often intersecting with anthropology and paleontology.

I wrote that Our Time FAQ,

and posted it to TST 2 years ago.

Idea 3.

A Our Time FAQ.

What is a false choice?.

A false choice is when you reduce the choices down to two or sometimes three choices but there are actually more choices available.

A false choice is a type of logical fallacy—an error in reasoning. This fallacy occurs when an argument incorrectly presents only two options or outcomes in a situation, implying that these are the only possible choices when, in fact, other alternatives exist. The essence of a false choice lies in its oversimplification of complex issues, forcing an either/or decision that doesn’t accurately reflect the full spectrum of possibilities.

For example, consider the statement: “You’re either with us, or you’re against us.” This presents a situation as having only two opposing sides, ignoring any middle ground or nuanced positions that might exist. By simplifying scenarios in this manner, a false choice pressures individuals to make decisions without considering all available options, leading to potentially flawed conclusions.

Understanding and identifying false choices is crucial for critical thinking, as it helps avoid the trap of oversimplified reasoning and encourages a more comprehensive exploration of issues at hand. To deepen your Critical Thinking.

False choice is a logical fallacy. Logical fallacies are one of the Four Mind Traps of the TST Framework.

I wrote that Our Time FAQ,

and posted it to TST 3 years ago.

By Philosopher Michael Alan Prestwood