Gary Peterson wrote:
> As an amateur magician and educator, I am interested in the reactions of
> teachers and others to the increasingly popular books featuring the Harry
> Potter character. I haven't read the books yet, but my understanding is the
> character uses spells and magickal powers to make the world right (for him).
> I predict reactions from concerned parents, as well as folks like us who may
> be asked our view of such books in relation to a child's (or adult's)
> ability to differentiate reality and fantasy, the kind of role model being
> fostered for people who are troubled, feel rejected by others, etc (do any
> Halloween movies come to mind here? ;-)....
> Harry is a student of witchcraft and wizardry (still a eurocentric charter
> school??) and faces dismal and paranoid-like dangers in his world. He
> rescues himself by his sorcery and magickal powers. Old stuff really, but I
> am also curious as to the popularity of such books at a time when science
> literacy in the U.S. is considered very poor (was it ever really good?), and
> a number of us in education are trying to find ways to encourage critical
> thinking.
I am finding that television programming for children is focusing increasingly
on sympathetic portrayals of the parananormal and superstitious beliefs. For
example, my daughter loves the Disney program, _So weird_, about a girl who
investigates claims of the paranormal. I have also noticed some nonskeptical
portrayals of the paranormal on Saturday morning "news" programs meant for
chidlren (such as one-sided interviews with parapsychologists studying haunted
houses). I find that I constantly have to talk with my daughter about the
skeptical viewpoint on such matters.
I suppose this increase in popular presentations of superstition for children
parallels the presentations meant for adults. Magical thinking is the opposite
of critical thinking; and magical thinking seems much more inherent to us than
the critical kind: we don't have to teach magical thinking in our courses since
our students are already very good at it.
Jeff
--
Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
"There are no dumb questions, just dumb people asking questions."
Randy Cassingham
