Does This Make Sense, a New Website for Critical Thinkers

PRINCETON, NJ November 24, 2010

Does This Make Sense is a new site with a simple goal: to encourage critical thinking. Through articles, illustrations and interactive discussion, the site's developers hope to create passionate conversations. Membership is free.

Does This Make Sense? is the brainchild of publisher and editor-in-chief, Nikki Stern. Stern is a long-time blogger and writer whose book, Because I Say So: The Dangerous Appeal of Moral Authority came out earlier this year. The book tackles the subject of close-mindedness presenting itself as moral certainty; her impetus for writing it was her experiences as a 9/11 widow.

"I'm not sure people understand how critical thinking relates to their everyday lives," says Ms. Stern. "Being able to ask questions and think about answers, whether the subject is politics, fashion, philosophy or baseball, is crucial. It allows us to think about other points of view, other ways of looking at a problem or coming up with a solution. That's what seems to be missing in our modern life: the recognition that we have to slow down, parse the information coming at us as fact, and ask: does this make sense?"

The site currently features four regular columnists—Lorraine Berry, Con Chapman, Denise Montgomery, and Greg Correll, who also designed the site and functions as senior editor. A roster of guest contributors and illustrators will also be featured on the home page. The writers are collected under a section called 'We Think.' Other areas include 'They Think,' which highlights news feeds from several sources as well as a notable comment from the week's media. 'You Think' is what Stern calls "the members' sandbox." It offers a weekly discussion prompt and features a 'best reader comment.'

Stern and Correll have plans to expand the site to include interviews with thinkers in different fields and sections that focus on a specific topic or area of interest. "We want our members to have fun thinking," says Stern.

Readers, writers and thinkers can find Does This Make Sense at http://doesthismakesense.com, as well as on facebook and Twitter.

Does This Make Sense promotes critical thinking in action. Our columnists, cartoonists and members together create an environment where deep thought mixes with humor, and passionate, snark-free conversation is encouraged. For further information, please contact us at www.doesthismake sense.com.