Cranky Uncle 12+
Skeptical Science
Designed for iPad
-
- Free
Screenshots
Description
We all have a cranky uncle who thinks he knows better than the world’s scientists. But how do you make sense of his arguments and conspiracy theories? The way to understand your cranky uncle is to become a cranky uncle! If you’re going to spot someone cheating at cards, first you have to learn how to cheat at cards.
In this game, Cranky Uncle teaches you the rhetorical techniques and logical fallacies he uses to deny science. Climate change, evolution, vaccination, a round Earth - he’s never met a science he wouldn’t deny! The deeper you get into the game, the more resilient you become against misinformation.
What’s New
Version 3.8.0
Added Romanian locale. Restyled Trail and Score screens.
Ratings and Reviews
Crank Your Thinking Up!
Ok, the simple cartoon sequential format is not your all-singing-dancing game app! But the 5 star rating is for how this App is carefully crafted to engage you in a fun but very serious way to teach you essential skills in our social media world where everyone is an “expert”. Unlike just reading about a topic, this game format makes you think actively all the way through. The Cranky Uncle teaches you and defines all his science-denying strategies. Then he quizzes you so you know you can spot and outwit how he operates. The higher your score the more cranky you make him!
Three suggestions. For international users some of the US famous names aren’t familiar. I didn’t realise until the end that what was on his head was the tinfoil hat - and I’m not sure everyone would know why cranks might wear a tinfoil hat!! Encouraging you to answer quickly (to earn more points) doesn’t seem right to me: critical thinking is “slow thinking” and should take all the time an individual needs to get good answers!
Inoculate against misinformation!
This is a superb app for learning the different argumentative techniques used by conspiracy theorists and other purveyors of misinformation, all done with a great sense of humour.
I found the cartoon style very engaging, particularly Cranky Uncke himself. The explanations of the different fallacies were easy to follow, and earning points via the quizzes and watching the Cranky Uncle get hot under the collar was amusing.
I recommend this for anyone trying to navigate the minefield of misinformation out there at the moment, particularly on social media. This game is like a vaccine against its influence!
This app doesn’t work
Even after registering my email, it just comes up with a blank screen.
App Privacy
The developer, Skeptical Science, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Contact Info
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Skeptical Science
- Size
- 15.6 MB
- Category
- Games
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 11.0 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
- Mac
- Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English
- Age Rating
- 12+ Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information
- Copyright
- © 2020 John Cook
- Price
- Free