Graphs, charts, and critical thinking

I just ran across the most unique blog. Each posting is a single index card which contains a graph which in turn, depicts the point the blogger is trying to make. In addition to being hilarious (and sometimes controversial), it illustrates to me a possible tool in our arsenal for teaching critical thinking skills. I wonder what would happen if, before we assigned the next research paper, we asked our students to think about and we collaboratively created a Venn diagram (that's the chart where circles intersect, for you non-charters) relating the concepts and what emerges when they are combined or kept apart? I can just SEE those right brain cells lighting up. I'm going to go try it right now for a paper I am writing ...
[Link to Indexed blog]