I am jumping up and down and cheering over here—not only for your willingness to address this vital subject, but also for the way you’ve clearly and effectively laid out your thesis and supported your points. Your article in itself is a clear demonstration of critical thinking. Thank you, once again, for your contribution here—I’m grateful for your work.
This piece cuts through the dopamine-fueled haze of modern life with surgical precision—your diagnosis of how instant gratification rewires our brains to prefer the spark over the substance is chilling. That comparison between digital junk food and actual nutrition for the mind? A wake-up call we all need but few want to hear.
I want to send this out to everyone I know and beg them to read it. You’ve described the situation we’re facing about as well as anyone could. Our inability to think and instead only react is doing tremendous harm and its especially terrible for the up and coming generations. My wife and I are working as hard as we can to keep this from taking root in our kids, but it’s an uphill battle when you see how just about every other influence they have today is working double overtime to condition them to be like this too.
When I was a middle school teacher and talking with social studies teachers, they emphasized the importance of teaching WHO is telling the story. I think in the algorithm infused haze of the internet these days, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision when you’re fed ideas that match your own opinions. Perspective taking is a HUGE component that we’re losing today.
Marketing,or Public Relations has been around a long time,and it’s actually a form of propaganda. In the 20’s it was used to get women to smoke cigarettes and they were marketed as “freedom torches”. Women really didn’t smoke much before then.
I’ve learned long ago that multi tasking is an exercise in futility,and concentrating on One thing at a time will be fruitful,and will generate less stress.
Beautifully written piece. As a retired Banker, I saw first hand (and spoke out about) the lack of critical thinking in the underwriting process. To “PAUSE” will go a LONG way toward tilting the scale back to more rational decision making.
Good article. I’m concerned with the use of tech in the classroom. Is it really necessary? I’m sure it makes things more efficient for the teacher, but is it actually helping the students learn, learn better and develop deep thinking skills? I highly doubt it. But someone is making a lot of money selling and making big promises with Ed tech!
Hi, my initial reaction is Social media, Social media, Social media. Of course it’s also instant information, 24 hr news cycles, and algorithms. I have a small sliver of hope cuz there seems to be some portion of the Gen Zs and even the Gen Alphas who are actually looking for meaning in the journey of life. I’m a boomer but I’m sure there are also Gen Xs, Gen Ys and Millenials who are also on the same quest. So all is not lost. And because I’m a retired teacher, I will say….Education, education, education. Critical thinking can be taught…and not just by teachers. Anyone can teach critical thinking by being a good role model.
Yes! My 20-year old has deleted the social apps and really wants to get a flip phone. Oh and prefers to buy and read those things with paper all glued together at one edge aka books. There’s hope, and a growing number are choosing to push back.
I am jumping up and down and cheering over here—not only for your willingness to address this vital subject, but also for the way you’ve clearly and effectively laid out your thesis and supported your points. Your article in itself is a clear demonstration of critical thinking. Thank you, once again, for your contribution here—I’m grateful for your work.
This piece cuts through the dopamine-fueled haze of modern life with surgical precision—your diagnosis of how instant gratification rewires our brains to prefer the spark over the substance is chilling. That comparison between digital junk food and actual nutrition for the mind? A wake-up call we all need but few want to hear.
I want to send this out to everyone I know and beg them to read it. You’ve described the situation we’re facing about as well as anyone could. Our inability to think and instead only react is doing tremendous harm and its especially terrible for the up and coming generations. My wife and I are working as hard as we can to keep this from taking root in our kids, but it’s an uphill battle when you see how just about every other influence they have today is working double overtime to condition them to be like this too.
When I was a middle school teacher and talking with social studies teachers, they emphasized the importance of teaching WHO is telling the story. I think in the algorithm infused haze of the internet these days, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision when you’re fed ideas that match your own opinions. Perspective taking is a HUGE component that we’re losing today.
TLDR. 😉
Marketing,or Public Relations has been around a long time,and it’s actually a form of propaganda. In the 20’s it was used to get women to smoke cigarettes and they were marketed as “freedom torches”. Women really didn’t smoke much before then.
Absolutely-the Mad Men were original influencers
I’ve learned long ago that multi tasking is an exercise in futility,and concentrating on One thing at a time will be fruitful,and will generate less stress.
Beautifully written piece. As a retired Banker, I saw first hand (and spoke out about) the lack of critical thinking in the underwriting process. To “PAUSE” will go a LONG way toward tilting the scale back to more rational decision making.
Good article. I’m concerned with the use of tech in the classroom. Is it really necessary? I’m sure it makes things more efficient for the teacher, but is it actually helping the students learn, learn better and develop deep thinking skills? I highly doubt it. But someone is making a lot of money selling and making big promises with Ed tech!
I think it’s more important to teach how to use tech ethically and with consideration. Not just to use it to teach content
Hi, my initial reaction is Social media, Social media, Social media. Of course it’s also instant information, 24 hr news cycles, and algorithms. I have a small sliver of hope cuz there seems to be some portion of the Gen Zs and even the Gen Alphas who are actually looking for meaning in the journey of life. I’m a boomer but I’m sure there are also Gen Xs, Gen Ys and Millenials who are also on the same quest. So all is not lost. And because I’m a retired teacher, I will say….Education, education, education. Critical thinking can be taught…and not just by teachers. Anyone can teach critical thinking by being a good role model.
Yes! My 20-year old has deleted the social apps and really wants to get a flip phone. Oh and prefers to buy and read those things with paper all glued together at one edge aka books. There’s hope, and a growing number are choosing to push back.