August 6, 2003
Muppet Book Club
"The Great Twiddlebug Mystery"
Book : Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3
Commentary : Part 4 -- Part 5 -- Part 6
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Book : Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3
Now that you've read the book,
come join the Book Club discussion
on the Tough Pigs Forum...
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. This book is about clashing belief systems, and how to assess the truth value of a given proposition. Sherlock and Betty Lou are examining the same evidence -- but Betty Lou is looking for the simplest explanation, while Sherlock is more comfortable making a leap of faith into the unknown. What does the book suggest is the way to resolve competing claims -- for example, the struggle between natural scientists and religious conservatives over the theory of evolution?
2. Betty Lou's controversial statement -- "I think most people would agree with me!" -- is as unfounded and off-the-cuff as Sherlock's conclusions. She has no basis for claiming to have swayed a majority opinion. And yet she makes this statement with a kind of smug certainty. Does this strengthen or weaken her argument?
3. In the information age, it's not possible for someone to personally have exhaustive knowledge of every phenomenon. Often, we have to accept the assurances of experts, because they have specialized knowledge that we lack. What does this book teach children about whether to trust adult experts?
4. Why is Herry so mad at those Twiddlebugs, anyway?
Plus: Here's some more special
Muppet Book Club Desktops:
800x600 --- 1024x768 --- 1280x1024
Book : Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3
Commentary : Part 4 -- Part 5 -- Part 6
Thanks to
Scott Hanson
for the Book Club logo and desktops!