The hottest Critical Thinking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Recent Notes...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 7 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🚌 Education Literacy Critical Thinking Philosophy Cultural Studies Theory
  1. C.P. Snow's The Two Cultures highlights the divide between the sciences and humanities. Learning more about both can make anyone smarter.
  2. John Ganz is an example of a hardworking person who could benefit from understanding the ideas in Snow's work.
  3. The goal of sharing this information is to help readers become smarter and enhance their understanding of important cultural concepts.

Eschew Obfuscation

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Writing Communication Critical Thinking
  1. Using complicated terms can create barriers in conversations and make others feel excluded. It's important to communicate in a way that everyone can understand.
  2. If you can't explain something simply, it might mean you don't fully understand it yourself. Writing things out can help clarify your thoughts.
  3. Taking time to explain clearly is more valuable than using jargon. It's better to focus on clear communication than to impress others with 'smart' language.

My Humanities Journey

Humanities in Revolt • 79 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🚌 Education Humanities Philosophy Literature Higher education Critical Thinking
  1. The dominant schooling system has been criticized by various great thinkers for failing to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and democratic values, highlighting the importance of reevaluating traditional education methods.
  2. Mark Twain and Jack London, despite being school dropouts, emphasized the distinction between 'schooling' and 'education,' emphasizing the role of life experiences and concentrated study in their intellectual development.
  3. Formal education is not the only path to learning, as illustrated by Dr. Nall's journey from a high school dropout to earning a doctorate, highlighting the value of informal learning, exploration, and deep critical thinking in one's educational journey.

One Year of Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🚌 Education Humanities Critical Thinking Ethics Culture Public Engagement
  1. Humanities are not just for colleges and universities; they have value in everyday life and should be shared with a wider audience.
  2. Engaging with humanities involves critical evaluation and thoughtful contemplation, not just passive consumption.
  3. The humanities encourage independent thinking, dialogue, and self-examination, tackling existential questions and challenging ideas with respect and humility.
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Get basic context first and the right questions will come to you

The End(s) of Argument • 59 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🚌 Education Information literacy Critical Thinking
  1. When faced with new information, it's better to first get basic context before diving into asking questions.
  2. Actively engaging with context and information before thinking about questions can help in understanding what truly matters.
  3. The SIFT approach emphasizes the importance of doing some initial research and noticing key details before formulating questions.

Relinquishing control

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 84 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Critical Thinking Ethics Values Leadership
  1. Relinquishing control can lead to blind compliance, which has historically resulted in significant atrocities.
  2. Human nature inclines people to seek charismatic leaders, but it's important to maintain personal identity and critical thinking.
  3. To resist manipulation, individuals should develop critical thinking skills, recognize psychological manipulation tactics, and build independence.

Propositional Attitudes and Flying Saucers

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Critical Thinking
  1. It's important to teach that there is a distinction between a claim and a position on that claim, to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
  2. When evaluating the likelihood of a claim, it's essential to consider it in relation to other explanations rather than in isolation.
  3. Defending a claim involves defending the most reasonable position on that claim, considering all possible explanations in a broader context.

Finding the third way

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Decision Theory Epistemology Innovation Critical Thinking
  1. There are two common reactions to uncertainty: one is to act like everything is knowable and try to control it, which can lead to poor decisions. The other is to give up and think that nothing can be done about the unknown, which doesn't help either.
  2. Instead of sticking to those two extremes, there's a better approach. It's important to recognize that not-knowing can lead to new ideas and actions.
  3. We can break down uncertainties into different types. Understanding these helps us figure out how to deal with situations where we don't have all the answers.

"Worthless Degrees" and the Hidden Hand of Values

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
📖 Philosophy Values Humanities Ethics Critical Thinking
  1. Critics of humanities and liberal arts often overlook the vital necessity of these fields in shaping critical thinking skills and cultural knowledge, which contribute to individual flourishing and democratic society.
  2. Human values play a significant role in shaping our lives, influencing our beliefs, decisions, and societal norms.
  3. Factual claims are rooted in sensory perceptions, while value-based statements determine what is important or significant to us, showcasing the essential interplay between facts and values in human understanding.

Talk to Smart People (And Read)

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🚌 Education Learning Research Discussion Critical Thinking Note Taking
  1. Engaging in discussions with knowledgeable people can enhance understanding and promote learning. It's beneficial to connect with those who are willing to explore and challenge ideas.
  2. Organized note-taking is a useful habit that aids in retaining and processing information over time. Visual aids like graphs can make complex ideas easier to understand.
  3. Taking the time to read and research independently is important for developing one’s own understanding. Personal exploration may lead to a deeper grasp of topics than simply consuming others' interpretations.

Student assignments in a time of language modelling

imperfect offerings • 19 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🚌 Education Teaching Curriculum Writing Technology Critical Thinking
  1. Educators can design accountable writing assignments to help students develop critical thinking skills and focus on aspects of human writing that large language models struggle with.
  2. Encouraging students to write from different positions or points of view, reflecting on personal experiences, and engaging in writing as part of a community can enhance accountability and support the development of writing skills.
  3. Using language model tools critically involves questioning their accuracy, biases, and potential impacts, while utilizing them creatively should be balanced with considering the limitations and risks associated with these tools.

Beyond the Grade: "Everything Happens for A Reason." But What Does that Mean?

Humanities in Revolt • 59 implied HN points • 25 May 22
📖 Philosophy Meaning of life Human experience Ethics Critical Thinking Beliefs
  1. Saying 'everything happens for a reason' can be vague and not add depth to discussions, as we are already aware of cause and effect.
  2. The phrase may imply larger forces at play, but without clarity on what these forces are, the statement remains ambiguous.
  3. The popularity of 'everything happens for a reason' may stem from our tendency to fill in unspecified reasons with personal beliefs, helping us cope with challenges.

Top 5 Skills to Have in The Age of AI

The Renaissance Man • 1 HN point • 24 Jul 24
🚌 Education Skills Development Lifelong learning Critical Thinking Interpersonal Skills
  1. Empathy is key. It's important to understand how others feel and think, even if you don’t agree with them.
  2. Critical thinking helps you form your own opinions. Don't just accept things as truth; question what you hear and think deeply about it.
  3. Curiosity drives innovation. Asking the right questions can lead to new ideas and better understanding of the world.

Understanding the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect: The Intersection of Knowledge, Media, and Belief

Wayne's Earth • 7 HN points • 26 Dec 23
🚌 Education Media Literacy Critical Thinking Cognitive Biases Information Overload
  1. The Gell-Mann Amnesia effect points out how we tend to doubt news within our expertise but believe information outside of it, showing inconsistencies in our media perception.
  2. Cognitive biases like confirmation bias and the Dunning-Kruger effect play a role in why we selectively scrutinize information based on our expertise.
  3. In the digital age, the internet and social media have intensified the Gell-Mann Amnesia effect, making it crucial for individuals to cultivate critical thinking and media literacy to navigate the vast sea of information.

Tư duy độc lập

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 99 implied HN points • 31 Dec 20
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Learning methods Personal Development Skepticism
  1. Independent thinking involves evaluating and verifying information before forming an opinion
  2. Learning and emulating others through books and the internet can help foster independent thinking
  3. Being critical of oneself and choosing what to think about can aid in developing independent thinking in a world full of distractions

Six thinking hats

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving Decision-making Creativity Critical Thinking Personal Development
  1. The Six Thinking Hats method by Edward de Bono helps in problem solving by considering different perspectives.
  2. Each hat represents a specific viewpoint like emotions, caution, facts, optimism, creativity, and control.
  3. Using the Six Thinking Hats approach can lead to clearer thinking, innovative ideas, effective communication, and better decision-making.

The Conspirituality Candidate

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Media Critical Thinking Journalism
  1. The author does not support RFK Jr as a Presidential candidate due to concerns about his rejection of vaccines and controversial views.
  2. The importance of critical thinking in evaluating information sources and distinguishing between facts, falsehoods, and theories.
  3. Established publications like The New York Times are generally more reliable sources of information compared to random blogs, but even they can contain inaccuracies.

Propaganda for the Smart

Curiosity Sink__ • 22 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Media Ideology Critical Thinking
  1. On the battlefield of ideas, capturing intelligent people involves leveraging their intellect against them.
  2. Intelligent individuals can fall into the trap of feeling unique, forming strong opinions, and embracing ideologies.
  3. Consuming news addictively, social media arguments, and ideological affiliations can blind smart people, making them inadvertently foolish.

#9: Tradeoffs

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 01 Jan 20
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Decision Theory Critical Thinking Mental models
  1. Life is full of tradeoffs. When you want something, like a stable job or a big house, you may have to give up other freedoms, like moving easily or having more free time.
  2. It’s important to clearly define what tradeoffs you are okay with. This helps you make better decisions, whether it’s about what to eat or where to live.
  3. Instead of just asking what you want, think about what you are willing to sacrifice. This question helps you understand your priorities and can lead to clearer choices.

Waiting in Airports

Metarational • 1 HN point • 03 May 24
📖 Philosophy Tradeoffs Critical Thinking
  1. The quote 'If you've never missed a flight, you spend too long waiting in airports' highlights the concept of tradeoffs - arriving early to reduce flight missing probability but spending more time waiting at the airport.
  2. Thinking in terms of tradeoffs, where marginal benefit equals marginal cost, is a common concept, especially in economics, but can seem foreign to those unfamiliar with it.
  3. Intuitive reasoning works best when costs and benefits are easily felt and the numbers involved are tangible, as opposed to areas like healthcare public policy. In such cases, explicit cost-benefit analysis can save substantial amounts of money.

Thời gian chạy nhanh như bị chó rượt

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 16 Sep 13
🚌 Education Learning Critical Thinking Problem Solving Creativity Questioning
  1. Dedication and hard work are essential for personal growth and success in any field, as seen through the author's experiences at Google and Đông Á bank.
  2. Surrounding oneself with intelligent colleagues can inspire self-improvement, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and growth.
  3. Fostering independent and creative thinking is a valuable skill that can be cultivated through practice and approaching problems from unique perspectives.

Người khai sáng

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 23 Dec 06
🌍 World Politics Enlightenment Freedom of Speech Critical Thinking Leadership
  1. If traditional media like newspapers cannot enlighten society, individuals need to take on the role of spreading knowledge and enlightenment themselves.
  2. In today's digital age, everyone has the ability to enlighten and be enlightened through platforms like blogs and the Internet, connecting with people globally.
  3. Leaders and influential figures should engage with young minds to inspire critical thinking and enlightenment, shaping the future generation.

Antilibrary: The Secret of the Humble Manager

TeamCraft • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🚌 Education Professional development Critical Thinking Reading habits
  1. Managers in tech often fear being seen as frauds, leading to a lack of humility.
  2. Building an antilibrary can help foster humility and curiosity by seeking out books outside your expertise and challenging viewpoints.
  3. Utilize your antilibrary as an intuition pump by exploring unread books and letting your imagination create diverse meanings and messages.