Everyone is telling you what to do and what to think.
Here's how to do whatever the f*ck you want:
Here's how to do whatever the f*ck you want:
If you're like me, you love your parents but don't always agree with them.
I was told to:
1) Never question authority
2) Do as I was told
In my 20s, this advice was destroying my life.
But these 5 critical thinking skills set me free to do whatever the f*ck I want:
I was told to:
1) Never question authority
2) Do as I was told
In my 20s, this advice was destroying my life.
But these 5 critical thinking skills set me free to do whatever the f*ck I want:
1) Your reality is twisted fiction
We humans rule the world because we can believe in fiction.
But that’s just it… we can BELIEVE in fiction.
With a little self-reflection, you’ll see EVERY single thing you believe is just that...
A fiction…
We humans rule the world because we can believe in fiction.
But that’s just it… we can BELIEVE in fiction.
With a little self-reflection, you’ll see EVERY single thing you believe is just that...
A fiction…
What keeps your beliefs aligned with reality?
Nothing.
Which is why it's useful to find beliefs that are:
• Evidence based
• Useful over long periods of time
• Beneficial for yourself, others, and the world
If every belief is a fiction, seek to align yours with reality.
Nothing.
Which is why it's useful to find beliefs that are:
• Evidence based
• Useful over long periods of time
• Beneficial for yourself, others, and the world
If every belief is a fiction, seek to align yours with reality.
2) Be skeptical of people in suits
The halo effect causes us to assume sexy-looking people have other amazing qualities.
Making us less likely to question their authority.
BUT...
Take 2 devil horns,
Touch the tips together,
Face them forward,
And what do you see?
A halo.
The halo effect causes us to assume sexy-looking people have other amazing qualities.
Making us less likely to question their authority.
BUT...
Take 2 devil horns,
Touch the tips together,
Face them forward,
And what do you see?
A halo.
3) Question everything… and I mean everything
95% of people's advice is:
• What society told them
• What influencers told them
• What their parents told them
Or an emotional response to whatever they’re going through…
95% of people's advice is:
• What society told them
• What influencers told them
• What their parents told them
Or an emotional response to whatever they’re going through…
None of this is their fault.
Our society doesn't encourage critical thinking.
Which leaves it to us to break the cycle.
Ask yourself:
• Does this seem true?
• Does this seem useful?
• Does this seem like a good long term solution?
Think through all advice for yourself.
Our society doesn't encourage critical thinking.
Which leaves it to us to break the cycle.
Ask yourself:
• Does this seem true?
• Does this seem useful?
• Does this seem like a good long term solution?
Think through all advice for yourself.
4) The "this that" tendency
We save mental energy with "black or white" thinking.
• Politics = democrat or republican
• Intelligence = smart or dumb
• Morals = good or evil
• Money = rich or poor
• Health = fit or fat
But more options exist.
Ignore this mental shortcut.
We save mental energy with "black or white" thinking.
• Politics = democrat or republican
• Intelligence = smart or dumb
• Morals = good or evil
• Money = rich or poor
• Health = fit or fat
But more options exist.
Ignore this mental shortcut.
5) The subjectivity illusion
We all see the world through different metaphorical sunglasses:
• Emotions
• Preferences
• Experiences
They color our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions.
To be human is to only see a piece but believe it's the entire pie.
We all see the world through different metaphorical sunglasses:
• Emotions
• Preferences
• Experiences
They color our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions.
To be human is to only see a piece but believe it's the entire pie.
The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao...
-Tao Te Ching
Put simply:
Your model of reality is never reality.
Remain curious.
Remain humble.
-Tao Te Ching
Put simply:
Your model of reality is never reality.
Remain curious.
Remain humble.
These 5 tips should sharpen your critical thinking skills.
There is much more we could cover, such as:
• Truth filters
• Bottom up thinking
• And tribal affliction affinity
(I might have made the last one up)
But perhaps another day...
There is much more we could cover, such as:
• Truth filters
• Bottom up thinking
• And tribal affliction affinity
(I might have made the last one up)
But perhaps another day...
What do you think?
If you're feeling generous, retweet so we can help someone take a step towards their dreams.
Follow me @TaylinSimmonds for more on how to think, write, and learn.
If you're feeling generous, retweet so we can help someone take a step towards their dreams.
Follow me @TaylinSimmonds for more on how to think, write, and learn.
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