People Evidence Eslpod Information Woozle Effect Popular Statements

The "Woozle effect" refers to the way in which "urban myths" (things that many or most people believe, but that are not true, especially when talking about popular culture) "come into being" (are created). Sometimes "publications" such as newspapers, magazines, and websites make statements that "lack" (do not have) proper "citation" (a statement of where the information is coming from) or that cite research incorrectly. When these publications are cited repeatedly by many people, the statements become "widely believed" (believed by many people), even thought there is little or no "evidence" (proof) for them.

A "Woozle" is the name of an "imaginary" (not real) creature in Winnie the Pooh, a popular children's book. In the story, two of the characters begin following "tracks" (footprints) in the snow, believing they were left by a Woozle, but "it turns out" (in the end they find out) that they have been following their own tracks while walking in a circle.

Today, a "Woozle effect" is a "shorthand expression" (a way of referring to a complex idea in just a few words) for evidence that is based on citation when the actual evidence within that cited "work" (publication or article) is "weak" (not convincing; not good) or "nonexistent" (does not exist; is not there).

For example, many people "make reference to" (talk about) Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers, citing his "concept" (idea) that the key to achieving "world-class" (the best in the world) "expertise" (ability or knowledge) is "largely" (mainly) practicing something for 10,000 hours. Many researchers have questioned his evidence for such a concept, but thanks to the Woozle effect, so many people have referred to his "10,000 Hour Rule" that it has become a widely accepted urban myth.