To think people have lost their power of critical thought

[TheClaws]

I’ve noticed a tendency of people across social media to respond to posts without any critical thought or analysis. Eg. Someone tweets ‘There was no quid pro quo: the sham is over.’ The replies to this tweet are primarily ‘AGREE!’ ‘We need to make arrests’ etc. DISCLAIMER: this is just an example. Please don’t jump on this content. If you do, you’re somewhat proving that point.

Regardless of political affiliations, this reluctance to think frightens me. I see over a range of subjects, not just politics - though in the political arena, it is dangerous, as we run the risk of being used by others. (By this I mean misleading social media posts could be made and commented upon as above by unwitting people.)

My point is this: before you comment on something, research it, even just a little bit. Use more than one source. Learn what sources are trustworthy and what are not credible. This process doesn’t take much time and soon becomes second nature.

TheClaws excellent topic and a great way to practice critical thinking.

After rtft, musing on my own thoughts and responses to various posts; contemplating on what I wanted to write from my experience, opinions, knowledge I finally settled on how I would like to contribute.

So I searched on the internet for a definition of critical thinking. I think it might create an even platform and enhance the conversation if we all have a clear understanding of what critical thinking is.

What is critical thinking?
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/critical-thinking

critical thinking noun
the process of analysing information in an objective way, in order to make a judgement about it
The school encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
Critical thinking skills enable students to evaluate information.

To understand how to analyze information objectively I also looked up the definition of the adjective: objective from the same dictionary as shown in the link.

objective adjective

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; considering only facts
synonym unbiased
an objective analysis/assessment/report
objective criteria
I find it difficult to be objective where he's concerned.
These figures give a reliable and objective indicator of changing trends in people's lifestyles.
opposite subjective

*Sometimes I think people can struggle with putting their subjective or personal opinions aside. Everybody has a right to their own opinion. And while this is true to some extent, do we really have a right to deny and override objective facts with our own personal opinion? Everybody has a right to their own opinion so let's voice it loud and clear. The problem with becoming wrapped up in our own opinion is how conversation loses its dialogue and becomes two or more people verbalising their own monologue at each other. I think this problem has been around before the internet. However, the internet easily becomes a platform for opinion and monologue. I've asked this question: what are the environmental influences we are exposed to that is causing us to lose our ability to examine, explore, observe, analyse objectively so that we can exercise critical thinking in the important issues we are facing today?

A pp mentioned that we use critical thinking when we research and choose schools for our children, where we want to live etc. And I agree, because we do. So, why do we abandon critical thinking in other areas?

What an interesting discussion. It does seem as though a 'platform for all' has shown up how little critical thought people give before sharing/commenting/liking.

Claws, can you share the tweet you spoke about re the KKK trade thread on twitter so I can take a look?

The link to the tweet I referenced above is here: twitter.com/libertylover56/status/1199793743781650432?s=21

I’d like to thank everyone for their thoughtful responses. They give me hope!

The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that empathy and critical thinking are connected. You can’t have understanding and tolerance without both of those.
The lack of both are making people more judgmental and angry. It’s harming society.

thebestschools.org/magazine/15-logical-fallacies-know/

If you are interested in critical thinking and debating I find logical fallacies good to know. They seem to crop up with far greater frequency these days, particularly in politics. If yiuve not heard of logical fallacies you will recognise these things happening but it's good to be able to put a name to what you are hearing/seeing/arguing!

Totally agree on logical fallacies - I find they are standard use in Twitter and Facebook as they lend themselves easily to catchphrases and sound bites. Here’s a good one:

Charlie Kirk @charliekirk11 4hr

For your political talks over the Thanksgiving table remember:

Socialism killed 150 million people in last 100 years

Free markets are the only cure to poverty

America is the greatest country ever

Taxation is theft

There are only 2 genders

Trump is an incredible President