The Lab · Ask why
Ask why
The page asks. You answer. Nothing writes your thinking for you.
Walk one everyday claim through the five moves. The page asks one question at a time. You type your own answers.
One everyday claim. The page asks one question. You type your own answer, then the next question comes.
This cereal is healthy. The box says whole grain.
- Move 1 · Name the claim
Say the claim in your own words. What do you mean by healthy?
- One possible answer
Good to eat every morning. It should not fill me with sugar.
- Move 2 · Find the assumption
What must be true for the words whole grain to mean healthy?
- One possible answer
Whole grain must be most of what is in the box. The rest must not undo it.
- Move 3 · Ask why until it stops
Why do you think whole grain is most of the box?
- One possible answer
The words are big on the front. I have not read the back.
- Move 3 · Ask why until it stops
What does the back of the box show that the front does not?
- One possible answer
The ingredients, listed by weight. The grams of sugar in one bowl.
- Move 4 · Rebuild from what is certain
That looks like bedrock: a list you can read. Start from only that. What can you claim now?
- One possible answer
Sugar comes second on the list. So this is a sweet cereal with some whole grain in it.
- Move 5 · Test what breaks
What would prove your new claim wrong?
- One possible answer
A label where sugar comes near the end of the list.
Each question shows one possible answer. Turn on scripts to type your own.
No model here. Every question was written by hand.
- Why
State one claim you believe. The page will only ask questions.