The Concept (What, Why?)

The Concept

Science and critical thinking are, for some reason, thought of by many people as inaccessible. It's boring, it's technical, it's complicated -- and people are content to leave it for the geniuses, the geeks and the nerds. But is this because the specialists really are uniquely suited to it? Or is the average person just scared it'll be too much for him, too detailed, too difficult?

The trouble is that much of the time, those who claim to know better... well, don't. Some of them use the powerful mechanism of personal charms and charisma to convince you that they're right despite your better judgment. Some are truly right, using objective methods and claims. But neither have better brains than other people, they're just more accustomed to using them.

The human mind has a natural tendency for critical thinking. But like any other skill, this tendency can be lost if it's left unused. And letting this natural skill get dulled will make your average, everyday analyses that much more difficult. Even "average" people need to be able to decide when a fantastic deal smells funny -- scam artists make their money off people who don't think critically before handing over their cash.

Science and critical thinking are everywhere, whether or not you realize it and regardless of whether you make use of them. When you find yourself being skeptical about anything or experiencing doubt, you are experiencing your natural tendency for critical thinking. You already have the skill. You were born with it. And the right tools can help you sharpen it, and use critical thinking to your advantage.

This site aims to show that science doesn't need to be dull or boring or overly technical. It aims to prove to you -- or help you prove to yourself -- that you can understand otherwise complex scientific concepts when they are presented in a fun, clear, and appealing manner. It aims to show that being smart doesn't have to come at the expense of being cool.

Enjoy your visit, and remember: You already have the tools to be a good SmartAxer. Chop off the crap to get at the truth.