Why Critical Thinking is Dying

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Gunnar
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Gunnar »

Dr Exiled wrote:
Thu Mar 20, 2025 4:39 am
Everyone here is supposedly incredibly smart, at least that's what the echo chamber says, with othering to assuage the beast. Perhaps that's where you all are being duped? A narrative enforcing an ideology with a bogeyman to look down on and don't forget his minions. Golly, they are so stupid. Glad we are not like them. Meanwhile, those in power push the former lefties into endless war. But, yeah, disagreement with the narrative is definitely wacko. Professor Asch would be interested in what goes on here.
Who is Professor Asch and how does he fit into this discussion?

Do you deny that Trump and his minions are gutting scientific research and firing a substantial portion of our most highly qualified scientists and replacing them with scientifically unqualified, politically motivated administrators loyal only to Trump, or do you deny they are doing that, or that it is a bad idea for them to do so? If either of the above is true, you are a prime example of the stupidity, willful ignorance and uncritical thinking about which we are justly alarmed!

Do you acknowledge the value of continuing scientific research and that the government has a legitimate role in funding and encouraging it? Or do you think that the value and importance of science and scientific research is overblown, or that it should only be undertaken and funded by private and/or commercial entities?

ETA: I appreciate that you have at least acknowledged in another thread that Trump is untrustworthy. I commend you for that! If enough people, including some of his current MAGA sycophants also come to realize that, perhaps there is hope for the survival of our democracy after all. :)
Last edited by Gunnar on Thu Mar 20, 2025 11:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
No precept or claim is more suspect or more likely to be false than one that can only be supported by invoking the claim of Divine authority for it--no matter who or what claims such authority.
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Jersey Girl
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Jersey Girl »

Gunnar wrote:
Wed Mar 19, 2025 10:13 pm
Kishkumen wrote:
Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:44 pm
Excellent post, Gunnar. You are a treasure. Please keep up the good work.
Thank you! Your encouragement means an awful lot to me! But you are the real treasure, not I! I do not come close to matching your depth of knowledge and understanding about so many things! You frequently inspire me! I am just an ordinary layman trying to improve my understanding of how the world works. I have no advanced degrees or notable accomplishments.
No notable accomplishments, eh? Odd that you would make that claim on this particular thread.

Gunnar, you are WRONG.

You are among those who taught me what critical thinking was and made me work hard for it. And while I don't think the core of who I am has changed, the way in which I think was changed forever and all time.
LIGHT HAS A NAME

We only get stronger when we are lifting something that is heavier than what we are used to. ~ KF

Slava Ukraini!
Gunnar
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Gunnar »

Jersey Girl wrote:
Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:49 am

No notable accomplishments, eh? Odd that you would make that claim on this particular thread.

Gunnar, you are WRONG.

You are among those who taught me what critical thinking was and made me work hard for it. And while I don't think the core of who I am has changed, the way in which I think was changed forever and all time.
You have had a positive effect on me also, I hope you know! :) I have learned a lot from you!
No precept or claim is more suspect or more likely to be false than one that can only be supported by invoking the claim of Divine authority for it--no matter who or what claims such authority.
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Kishkumen
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Kishkumen »

Dr Exiled wrote:
Thu Mar 20, 2025 4:39 am
Everyone here is supposedly incredibly smart, at least that's what the echo chamber says, with othering to assuage the beast. Perhaps that's where you all are being duped? A narrative enforcing an ideology with a bogeyman to look down on and don't forget his minions. Golly, they are so stupid. Glad we are not like them. Meanwhile, those in power push the former lefties into endless war. But, yeah, disagreement with the narrative is definitely wacko. Professor Asch would be interested in what goes on here.
Yeah, you can't lean on the back-slappin'-bro ritual as a sufficient tool to check your assumptions. On the other hand, there actually are really stupid people, stupid ideas, stupid policies, and stupid ideologies. It is entirely appropriate to identify them as such and talk about them. To think otherwise is, well, stupid.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's take on the subject is worthy of your attention:

https://youtu.be/ww47bR86wSc?si=Za4bgrr33tHUC4iB
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Some Schmo
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Some Schmo »

The idea that "Trump the boogeyman" is just a narrative exposes the truth that some people are suckers for a narrative, and so they assume everyone else is too.

Heaven forbid someone simply observes Trump and his followers' behavior and comes to obvious conclusions. No. It's a media narrative people are parroting because they can't identify a damned lunatic on their own.

It's amazing how damned stupid people are in an attempt to protect their fact-free opinions.
Religion is for people whose existential fear is greater than their common sense.

The god idea is popular with desperate people.
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Jersey Girl
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Re: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

Post by Jersey Girl »

I have a little contribution to make on this thread.

My resting heart rate is 65 bpm. I'll just put that on the table and leave it there.

I check into the ER in the wee hours last night with Afib/RVR (rapid ventricular response). I have a history of this.

EKG shows that my heart rate is 155 bpm and it's been there for over 5 hours before I check in.

Remember that. 155 bpm and out of rhythm.

One of the medical staff comments to me: Oh, you seem a little breathless right now.

I will not identify the position of the medical staff yet.

Your comments?
LIGHT HAS A NAME

We only get stronger when we are lifting something that is heavier than what we are used to. ~ KF

Slava Ukraini!
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