Why We Have To Teach Kids to Analyze and Debunk Propaganda
Current Affairs4 Nov 2022

Why We Have To Teach Kids to Analyze and Debunk Propaganda

Sam Shain is a public school teacher whose book Education Revolution: Media Literacy for Political Awareness argues that K-12 students need to be equipped with the ability to analyze media and spot misinformation. This crucial skill, which helps them become informed participants in democracy and resist demagogues, is not actually widely taught. Shain explains how he teaches his students critical thinking, including playing "spot the fallacy" with Ben Shapiro videos and having students write their own piece of "fake news."

In our conversation, we talk about why it's important to bring politics into the classroom and how to make sure kids hear dissenting perspectives without trying to indoctrinate them. Shain also recounts his own disturbing experience being forced out of a job after a complaint from a Trump-supporting parent.

Nathan's recent article "Six Subjects That Should Be Taught In School But Aren't" can be read here. The book that Sam got in trouble for teaching, Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist, is available here.

"If the teacher is merely teaching something that happened [in history], or teaching a book that might be a little bit controversial, [administrators] need to hold the line [against parent complaints]. And teachers need to do this sort of thing." — Sam Shain

Episoder(600)

UNLOCKED: The Lyta, The Witch & The Wardrobe

UNLOCKED: The Lyta, The Witch & The Wardrobe

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs amusements editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, contributing editor Aisling McCrea and friend of the pod Dan Walden continue our "proble...

2 Jun 20191h 1min

#26: Standardized Litmus Tests

#26: Standardized Litmus Tests

The Current Affairs panel discusses the recent addition of the "adversity score" to the SAT, determines the appropriate abortion litmus test for the left, and goes around sharing things that made them...

29 Mai 20191h 24min

UNLOCKED: Tiffany Cabán on running for district attorney as a public defender

UNLOCKED: Tiffany Cabán on running for district attorney as a public defender

UNLOCKED from the bird feed to the main feed just in time for AOC's endorsement: Current Affairs legal wonks Oren Nimni and Vanessa A. Bee sit down with Tiffany Cabán, a career public defender who is ...

23 Mai 201942min

#25: Voicemailbag V

#25: Voicemailbag V

The Current Affairs panel opens up the phone lines for the fifth time, answering voicemails about: the new 2020 candidates, Medicare for All, irony, government services, and changing people's minds. T...

11 Mai 201947min

#24: The Department of Glass Castles

#24: The Department of Glass Castles

The Current Affairs panel asks “what’s the problem with technocrats?”, debates whether it’s bad that Bernie Sanders is now a millionaire, and proposes our favorite imaginary cabinet positions. The Pa...

28 Apr 201959min

UNLOCKED: Jane McAlevey on organizing vs. mobilizing

UNLOCKED: Jane McAlevey on organizing vs. mobilizing

UNLOCKED FROM THE BIRD FEED: Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with labor organizer and scholar Jane McAlevey to talk about organizing for power in the New Gilded Age. Jane is a contributing w...

25 Apr 201941min

UNLOCKED: Virgil Texas on the Chapo Trap House phenomenon

UNLOCKED: Virgil Texas on the Chapo Trap House phenomenon

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs host Pete Davis talks with Virgil Texas about his hit podcast, Chapo Trap House: its origins, its philosophy, its style, its future. Read Virgil's ...

15 Apr 201950min

#23: You Can Call Me (Weird) Al

#23: You Can Call Me (Weird) Al

The Current Affairs panel discuss why they fight in the first place and then share what cultural products are their favorite lefty gateway drugs. The Panel Sparky Abraham, finance editor Lyta Gold, a...

12 Apr 201951min

Populært innen Humor

rss-spartsklubben
papaya
enkel-servering
harm-og-hegseth
tore-og-haralds-podkast
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
tusvik-tnne
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
misjonen-med-antonsen-og-golden
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
wolfgang-wee-uncut
hanna-de-heldige
jan-thomas-og-einar-blir-venner
verdens-verste
rss-det-alle-snakker-om-med-siri-og-kim
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
gutta-backer
rss-snorre-med-gaute