My sustainability class just finished a module about disinformation. I had them write me a letter assuming they were flunking and arguing that they deserve an A, using the techniques of disinformation we discussed, like cherry picking, false experts and ad hominem. HOO-boy. 1/n

I encouraged them to use ad hominem, for entertainment value. The students read their letters aloud. Wackiness ensued, with much applause. (I led the applause — it was funny!) They used every tool, but they really took to ad hominem attacks. 2/n

One student began her letter with this:
Dear "Professor" Schwartz,
Her fake expert was fabulous 3/n https://t.co/6iIrQRc7Tz

The exercise is by Melanie Trecek-King (@ThinkingPowers), and based on the "Cranky Uncle" disinformation game by @johnfocook
and colleagues. http://crankyuncle.com

This student did a good job of setting impossible expectations, but his ad hominem attack was a thing of beauty

5/n https://t.co/2ipCkhRIKW

Conspiracy theories!

6/n https://t.co/30swRso4qL

That student's ad hominem game was particularly strong 7/n https://t.co/5Zd3M7WkOq

THIS MIGHT BE MY BEST TEACHING DAY EVER. These students didn't memorize a list of disinformation tools and logical fallacies. They used them. And we laughed. Does teaching get better than that? /fin