On Critical Thinking

Tom Schreck, author of the Duffy Series

I found a new favorite podcast. Skeptoid is a debunking website by a guy named Brian Dunning.

Once a week he does a fascinating fifteen minute podcast that skeptically examines something in popular culture. He produced an excellent 40 minute video called "Here be Dragons" on how to examine things.

It's terrific.

I showed it to my Addiction class last night before doing a lecture on the causes of addiction. I wanted them to know what it means to use the scientific method and what real research was.

The video looks at psychics, vitamins, new age medical treatment and conspiracies.

Dunning does a scene where he argues with himself about 9/11. One voice says things like:

"What about the fact that no steel building ever collapsed/"

"What about building seven collapsing and housing the SEC?"

"What about George Bush's brother being a landlord for one of the WTC floors"

etc, etc, etc

Dunning answers all of the questions by countering with "Who flew the planes?"

His point was that everything else is a red herring. That when you looked at it there were a dozen or so guys who hijacked these planes and crashed them. There's no evidence for anything else.

My class revolted. They argued about new age science, defended acupuncture and generally said that you couldn't trust any research.

Dunning says people like conspiracies, easy answers and magic.

I know I do. I now know my college class does even more.

But could it be that the FDA, the CIA, the military and the government in general conspires against us? If they do what's their motivation or reasoning?

Watch the video when you get a chance.

http://www.herebedragonsmovie.com

COMING SOON!

The new Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries short story collection with Basset Hound rescue stories, hound essays and...drum roll please...the world famous Basset haiku, actually Bassetku, from Ginny Tata-Phillips.

Also featuring the novella "Planter's Punch" with JA Konrath. See how Duffy and Jack Daniels, get together, right some wrongs and just maybe...well, you'll have to read it. Previously available only on Kindle!

Best Part? 100% of the cash goes to helping Basset rescue!

The covers were auctiouned off and Shelly Nowicki Gordon's hound, Duke graces both the front and the back. The auctioned raise nearly $6,000 for hound rescue.

Available at Basset rescue events and ONLY at ABC Basset Rescue's Slobber Shoppe ...www.theslobbershoppe.com

STAY TUNED FOR THE RELEASE DATE!
Arooooooooooooo!

Someone Else's Voice

by Tom Schreck, author of the Duffy Series

I got sent a contract last week from Brilliance Audio. They're going to make an audio version of "Planter's Punch", the novella my buddy, Joe Konrath and I did.

I love audio books and always have one going. Right now I'm listening to a 24 hour version of the "Given Day" by Dennis Lehane that's been keeping me company for a few weeks during commutes.

Here's the thing though--I'm a little scared about whose voice is going to do Duffy.

When narrators suck it really ruins the listening experience. Robert B. Parker had his son do one of his books and he was dreadful. Darrin McGavin did Travis McGee and though he's a competent actor, he just never was McGee to me.

I don't get any say in it, of course.

I would prefer it not be Mel Gibson, RuPaul or any of the judges from "So You Think You Can Dance."

Brian Williams from NBC would be okay. If Jack Lord is still alive he can do it or Mike Connors from Mannix.

What if they give Duffy an Chinese accent or if he overannuciates the "Gs" at the end of words? That'll suck.

It might be cool if they had an Elvis impersonator be Duffy...maybe not.

I know who I'd want to do it. The same guy I'd have play him in a full length movie (Hollywood types--I can reached at tom@tomschreck.com).

Who, you ask?

Mickey Rourke.

Circa 1985. They guy in "The Pope of Greenwich Village" and "Angel Heart."

Is that too much to ask?

Mickey, you can reach me at the same email.

You can buy "Planter's Punch" here for the price of a cup of coffee. Alright, it would be expensive coffee.