Critical thinking

Just be discerning

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Friends,

In discussions recently “critical thinking” as an essential skill has come up quite a bit. Schools and educational leaders in the UK love to emphasise it, and the World Economic Forum ranks it as one of the key skills for the future. But while we pay lip service to critical thinking, what our education systems still actually reward is rote memorisation.

This is a fundamental flaw that shapes how we perceive knowledge and tackle real-world problems.

At school, children learn dates, formulas, and structures without being challenged to ask the pivotal questions that go beyond the surface. Students are often led to believe that mere answers are what matter, neglecting the underlying reasoning. This results in graduates who may know a lot but cannot think critically about what they know or why things are the way they are.

Critical thinking is about more than just finding an answer; it questions the very assumptions we hold. It invites us to engage deeply: Why do I believe this? What evidence supports it? How does it fit into a broader context? This daily practice isn’t just an academic exercise; it's a life skill that enhances decision-making in personal and professional domains.

We aren’t taught how to think. Can you remember when you were taught *how* to think rather than *what* to think? In speaking with my peers, the recollections are scant - maybe on a deeper course in the last year of school, or on a specific course at university. Education has devolved into a barrage of facts, leaving little room for creativity, uncertainty, or the exploration of complex ideas. This stifles curiosity at a time when adaptability is paramount.

If children were taught how to form arguments, to dispute their own ideas before defending them, they would enter adulthood equipped to analyse information critically, recognise biases, and appreciate diverse perspectives. When we teach our children to question everything, they learn to discern truth from deception, feeding a need not just for knowledge, but understanding.

One of the first principles of effective critical thinking is asking the right questions. Questions that eschew consensus for deeper exploration, prompting students to challenge not only their peers’ perspectives but their own as well. For example, instead of asking, "What are the causes of climate change?" we might ask, "Why should I care about climate change?" or "What are the varied consequences depending on different responses to climate change?"

It’s not about the answer, it’s about the implication of the answer. By encouraging the weighing of risks and considering different viewpoints, we prepare better for an unpredictable world. The world we are in right now.

As we move further into this age of AI, the capacity for critical thought will shape our future. It can transform how we approach societal challenges, making room for innovative solutions and informed citizens. The world is more complex than black and white; scholarship and curiosity can light the path through the uncertainties ahead.

Critical thinking is a foundational pillar upon which a robust society stands. It equips us to tackle the pressing issues of our time with clarity and confidence. The sooner we embrace teaching *how* to think rather than *what* to think, the better equipped the next generation will be to navigate a world in flux.

I wasn’t surprised that Trump won another election, but I was surprised at how easy it was for him. Commentators cite the linkage between education level and Republicans winning. I think that half of a country can’t be wrong. There may be education involved, but my view is that this is more of a shift in what is happening in the world than just an x versus y argument. And because of that, the dominos will start to fall around the world - as listed in the link recommendations today. But what do I know? - I’m neither American, nor am I in the US.

The skill of critical thinking is not just important for picking your next political leader, it will become even more important as we decide how we use technology, what we leave to the algorithm and AI, and what we do ourselves.

Stay Curious - and don’t forget to be amazing,

Rahim

Here are my recommendations for this week:

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Now

1. How Trump Will Change the World - Trump's re-election sent shockwaves through global foreign policy, despite it being a predictable outcome. His second term will likely see more extreme factions influencing decisions, pushing out moderate voices. Trump's foreign policy remains rooted in transactionalism but faces a more dangerous global context. Allies may try appeasement, while adversaries like Russia could benefit, especially regarding Ukraine. Trump's approach to China may appear hawkish, but contradictions in policy could weaken U.S. influence. Internally, Trump’s team may bypass traditional processes to prioritize loyalty, potentially politicizing military and intelligence services. The unpredictable nature of Trump's leadership raises concerns about America's global role. Also see Will Trump's victory spark a global trade war? and How Trump won — and how Harris lost — the 2024 election and Trump won. Now what?

2. 9 Foods You Might Think Are High in Protein, but Actually Aren’t If you’re hoping for a single ingredient to do most of the heavy lifting, you might want to look at your options a little more carefully. Also How to Sleep Better, According to Sleep Experts

3. Paralyzed by choice - How a plague of endless options has ruined online shopping - The overwhelming number of options available in online shopping is leading to decision paralysis for consumers, making the experience less enjoyable. As e-commerce platforms expand their inventories, shoppers are inundated with endless choices, often feeling overwhelmed rather than empowered. This abundance of options increases anxiety, delays decision-making, and reduces satisfaction, as people constantly second-guess their choices or fear missing out on better deals. Retailers, in their effort to attract more customers, may unintentionally drive them away by complicating the shopping process. Simplifying offerings and curating selections could help alleviate this issue, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

4. The Nobel Prizes Tell a Story About Scientific Discovery - The 2024 awards offer a unique look into the present and future of scientific innovation, including the rise of AI.

5. Who’s Afraid of These Gen Alpha Queens? Tweens on social media are terrifying their millennial counterparts. Are their fears justified?

Next

1. Your TV set has become a digital billboard. And it’s only getting worse. TV software is getting loaded with ads, changing what it means to own a TV set.

2. 8 Life-Changing Benefits of Coffee From 9 Key Scientific Studies Research shows coffee can make you healthier, smarter, and more productive. (And if you don’t like coffee, sometimes other sources of caffeine will do.)

3. What if A.I. Is Actually Good for Hollywood? It’s already powering remarkable visual innovations, like in the new movie “Here.” But boosters think that’s just the beginning.

4. Touchscreens Are Out, and Tactile Controls Are Back - Amid touchscreen fatigue, tactile controls like buttons and dials are making a comeback in technology, from iPhones to home appliances and cars. Rachel Plotnick, an expert on button history and technology, explains this trend's resurgence. People crave tactile feedback for ease of use, safety, and accessibility, especially in cars and medical devices. Buttons provide a simpler, intuitive alternative to screens, which can be overwhelming and visually demanding. Companies are now consulting Plotnick to design better interfaces, emphasizing that while technology evolves, older solutions like buttons offer practical benefits, especially in situations requiring quick, reliable responses or accessibility.

5. Elon Musk Helped Elect Trump. What Does He Expect in Return? The world’s richest man gave his money and time in campaigning for the president-elect and now is putting in his requests for a friendlier regulatory environment.

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