Sometimes Black and White Is a Good Combo; Sometimes It’s a Logical Fallacy

I’ve been working on some essays for a book, and my latest addresses the logical fallacy of black-and-white thinking, sometimes called the either-or fallacy. This flaw in logic pretends that there are only two exclusive options for thoughts or actions in a given situation. 

For instance, artificial intelligence is EITHER a sign of the coming apocalypse OR offers up only good opportunities to humanity. These polarized positions engender particularly insidious oversimplifications of a complex and messy technology. (My essay covers more political examples, but Simplicity by Lateblossom isn’t the right space for politics, generally speaking.) 

But you can find all sorts of examples of this polarization and oversimplification of complex problems in the United States. They are common as dirt and just as welcome in my house. 

For crafty concerns, however, this blog, which has been around since 2009, has based its very existence on  minimalism, an extreme that contrasts quite nicely with the maximalism of products and styles available to us. Simplicity was a response to what I saw as less and less space in the crafty community for appreciation of basics, not a “down with maximalism” rallying cry. Most of us celebrate the differences in style and encourage each other to do whatever floats our boats…even if it’s not our thing. 

You do you!

If politics ran this way instead of pushing polarization ever harder, the world would be a much better place. Less fallacious and more free. 

Happy belated Independence Day!  

Our cards today celebrate the simplicity of black and white. As color schemes and fallacies go, it’s not really a favorite*, but I saw some black-and-white cards on Pinterest and felt compelled to experiment. Both cards are very old-school: ink and paper, no fancy techniques or embellishments needed. 

First up, an Altenew poppy outline and a very old Papertrey sentiment. The background is a wood-mounted stamp from Hero Arts.

Next, we have a cling rubber stamp from Tim Holtz, sentiment from Papertrey, and background from somewhere…it’s not labeled. 

These were fun and quick to make, especially after my recent over-the-top birdhouse card, which was also fun but not at all quick.

Vive le différence!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,

“Professor” Susan

*My favorite fallacy is ad misericordiam, the appeal to pity. As in, “Professor Susan**, my goldfish died and my car wouldn’t start and then I got the flu. Can I please have an extension for the paper that was due last week?” Can I? How about may I? In one week, I had five—yes FIVE—students in one class claim flat tires as an excuse for absences. The alleged flats occurred in different parts of Dayton and the surrounding area. I asked, thinking there might have been a box of nails dropped on I-75.

Years ago, in a single semester, I received a doctor’s note written on veterinary stationery AND four students lost their grandmothers. 

What I wanted to say: “I’m sorry for your loss. Please read your syllabus for the late work policy.”  Honestly, I’m not heartless and will always err on the side of compassion, but seriously?

**I’m not a professor (just an adjunct instructor trying now to become a full-time instructor), but when using the appeal to pity, students give me a promotion to distract from their lies. <insert eye roll here>