How do you think? Before you answer that, I am not asking what but how. What is the process? Do you take in information, mull it around, process it, compare contrast and then form an opinion, only to express it? Or do you just react, cursorily glancing at facts disdainfully then spout off the first words that come bubbling out of your mouth?
The human brain is a wondrous and not to be taken lightly. Honed and readied, it is a deadly thing. Learn to critically think and analyze, and your mind will be the greatest weapon you have. Do this as an exercise:
Pick something you really like and start going through everything you know about it. It can be anyone or anything. Don't study, don't look anything up. Just write down what you know and what you think about it, and label each of those accordingly. This is a simplified example:
Ice Cream
I think it is delicious.
I know it is made from cows milk
I know it has sugar in it
I have heard it is different in Europe.
Now, Fact check. Look up these items and see if anything that you knew was limited or wrong; see if it affects what you think. Write the differences with a different colored pen so you see where you had to correct. Check to make sure your new sources are factual and correct, corroborated by reputable sources
Repeat this for something you dislike.
What is the point of this exercise? You now have the ability to form an opinion about these things like you didn't before. You have looked at the facts and compared them to what you knew before, and hopefully adjusted what you knew. This is an important skill set and lets you winnow away the chaff in your life. Practice this, and learn to do it intuitively.
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