We were never taught critical thinking at school. I wonder why?
Good questions are crucial.
A simple critical thinking model validates what is being delivered in three steps: is it true or mere opinion?
* Question assumptions.
* Test logic with reason.
* Broaden thinking.
It’s not just an intellectual exercise, as soft skills like: humility, empathy, open-mindedness and self-awareness are also essential.
What is their expertise in this field?
What are their sources and what checks have they carried out?
Using this technique on TV news items, newspaper articles, and internet ‘fact checkers’ may reveal surprising results.
Here are 11 ways the mainstream media instil their desired beliefs and behaviours into people. It goes directly into our subconscious without our knowledge or consent:
1. Herd instinct: be safe by conforming to the group. It is a reptilian brain survival mechanism.
2. Mimic: copy other behaviour to fit in with the herd.
3. Neoteny: use infant or childish traits to gain the attention and approval of the herd..
4. Authority bias; follow who’s in charge: white coat: doctor, scientist etc., uniform: policeman, soldier etc. Don’t question authority to fit in.
5. Fear: Fear shuts down the logical part of the brain (neocortex) and activates the limbic system of fight/flight/freeze, making it more obedient.
6. Distraction: ‘Look over here!’ So you ignore what’s happening over there.
7. Toxicity: Damage the brain so it is less able to think clearly, especially when living in fear.
8. Inversion or reframing. Lie and say the opposite of the truth: buying things makes you happy, more is better, etc.
9. Oh dearism: Tell contradictory stories to confuse the public: wine is good/bad, fat are good/bad, etc., until they give up and go with the herd.
10. Stockholm Syndrome: Terror creates feelings for those who have power over them and represents safety.
11. Repetition: Every time a message is repeated, the subconscious automatically sees a safer thing to do and moves it higher up the list.
[Source: Jason Christoff - Self-sabotage Coach]
This is why tv programmes are called 'programmes.'
