Direction of Relative Evidential Advantage

For an 85-year-old, the highly abstract statistical concept of 'Direction of Relative Evidential Advantage' (which hypothesis is favored by evidence) needs to be approached through its practical application in daily life. Direct instruction in Bayesian statistics would likely be disengaging and less developmentally leveraged. Instead, the focus shifts to foundational critical thinking skills that enable the assessment of competing claims and the discernment of which narrative, decision, or piece of information is better supported by available evidence.

Our choice, Brilliant.org's Premium Subscription (with a focus on its Logic and Scientific Thinking courses), is the best in the world for this age group and topic due to several core principles:

1. Practical Relevance & Engagement: Brilliant.org offers interactive, gamified lessons that break down complex logical concepts into digestible, self-paced modules. This transforms abstract ideas into engaging challenges, making them relevant to an 85-year-old's desire for continuous learning and cognitive stimulation. It allows them to apply sophisticated reasoning to everyday scenarios, from interpreting news to making personal choices.
2. Cognitive Maintenance & Critical Thinking: The platform actively encourages problem-solving, pattern recognition, and the structured evaluation of information—all crucial for maintaining and enhancing cognitive function in late adulthood. The 'Logic' and 'Scientific Thinking' courses directly train the user to identify premises, evaluate evidence, recognize fallacies, and compare competing hypotheses, thereby exercising the very mechanisms required to determine the 'direction of relative evidential advantage'.
3. Accessibility & Simplicity (with support): While the concepts are profound, Brilliant.org's interface is clean and intuitive, designed for self-paced learning. When paired with appropriate hardware (like an iPad and stylus) and initial setup assistance, it overcomes potential barriers related to digital literacy or motor skills, ensuring maximum engagement and minimal frustration. It allows learning from the comfort of home, adapting to varying energy levels.

Implementation Protocol for an 85-year-old:

1. Initial Setup & Onboarding (Assisted): A younger family member or caregiver should assist with setting up the Brilliant.org account, subscribing to Premium, and installing the app on a large-screen tablet (like an iPad). Initial navigation through the platform and selection of introductory 'Logic' and 'Scientific Thinking' courses should be guided.
2. Structured Daily Engagement: Encourage short, regular learning sessions (e.g., 15-30 minutes, 3-5 times a week) rather than long, infrequent ones. This prevents fatigue and reinforces learning through spaced repetition. The self-paced nature of Brilliant.org is ideal for this.
3. Active Discussion & Real-World Application: Periodically, engage the individual in discussions about what they've learned. Prompt them to apply the critical thinking frameworks to real-world situations, such as evaluating conflicting news reports, understanding family anecdotes, or making household decisions. For instance, 'Based on what you learned about evidence, which of these two explanations for X seems more plausible?'
4. Hardware Optimization: Ensure the tablet is charged, has good Wi-Fi, and the headphones are comfortable. Use the stylus for precision interaction to reduce potential frustration from touch inaccuracies.
5. Focus on Process, Not Perfection: Emphasize the joy of learning and the development of analytical skills, rather than scoring perfectly on every quiz. The goal is engagement and cognitive exercise in comparing evidence and drawing reasoned conclusions.