Messy Thinking

Accessing and gathering information is an essential step toward critical thinking. However, I don’t view critical thinking as a linear process; it looks like the graphic at the top of this post.

Messy, right? That’s because thinking is messy. Especially in the beginning. We’re trying to make sense of something. We’re running it past our values, beliefs and biases. We go back and forth, generating ideas, adapting old ones, arguing for and against.

Paint gets spilled. We chase our tails.

Accessing information in the digital age has never been easier. A swipe or mouse click can take us anywhere. Going anywhere won’t work, though. Distractions, false or dangerous information are only swipes or mouse clicks away.

Critical thinking plays a crucial role. Hence the keyword cyclical diagram. In future posts, I’ll unpack the skills behind each keyword.