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    February 10, 2023
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Business Insight Do Not Let Them Fool You Recently, it was announced that the State of Illinois will introduce a change in the mandatory school curriculum by adding a class in critical thinking. I do not know what the actual name is, but I could not be happier of this change. Learning process starts early, probably as early as 2-3 years of age. Students at elementary school level are supposed to learn daily, often by memorizing and multiple testing. Hardly ever students discuss challenging topics and opinions and many times, they just accept what is told at school or at home as their own belief and knowledge. Young students become young adults and the process of just accepting whatever is told or communicated otherwise becomes a norm. If you wonder how conspiracy theories or other nonsenses are created, then you have your answer. There is no critical thinking taught and practiced on a daily basis. This is not only bad education, but the best prescription for poor decision making. People, young and old, who cannot process and critically analyze what is communicated to them become victims of scams, false marketing, fraud sales, and often depression. They are taken advantage of by those who do not follow any rules except how to make themselves richer and better. Lack of critical thinking is not equal to having faith. There are many religious and faithful people who practice critical and scientific thinking daily. Not being able to do so and practicing total dogmatic faith in everything you are being told is dangerous for you and those around you. Only this morning, I read a story of a 69-year-old, lonely woman, who met a gentleman on- line, shared similar views and faith with him, admired his dedication to church and poor people, and gave him almost all of her retirement savings. He turned out to be a rich scammer who has done a similar bluff many times before. There were many signs that something was off, but the woman did not use any critical thinking in processing those signs. She is in grief now, over her money but mostly, over losing the scammer's 'love: presented by Arlington Dermatology During the times of social media platforms being our daily feeds of information, internet applications allowing to conduct all kinds of transactions and exchanges without stepping outside of your room, thousands of hackers and other thieves, our vigilance to capture those 'tricksters' should be as sharp as a razor. The same should apply to various mass media sources that lean too much into one direction. They tend to present information from one-sided view, with no perspective or context, and their presentations are voice-persuasive. However, if you think twice about the actual message, you easily find that there is something wrong with that message. It especially applies to those who claim to follow religious rules but tell you to hate others. This makes no sense. Certainly, not in a message of Jesus who told us to love one another. And he was not the only one to proclaim love. Why am I writing about it? Simply because I trust science and follow it for the last 40 years or so. Simply because I read information from multiple sources and look for a common denominator before I make my opinions. Simply because I care that children learn how to think critically before they grow into adults who have no curiosity in finding the truth. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Do Not Let Them Fool You Recently , it was announced that the State of Illinois will introduce a change in the mandatory school curriculum by adding a class in critical thinking . I do not know what the actual name is , but I could not be happier of this change . Learning process starts early , probably as early as 2-3 years of age . Students at elementary school level are supposed to learn daily , often by memorizing and multiple testing . Hardly ever students discuss challenging topics and opinions and many times , they just accept what is told at school or at home as their own belief and knowledge . Young students become young adults and the process of just accepting whatever is told or communicated otherwise becomes a norm . If you wonder how conspiracy theories or other nonsenses are created , then you have your answer . There is no critical thinking taught and practiced on a daily basis . This is not only bad education , but the best prescription for poor decision making . People , young and old , who cannot process and critically analyze what is communicated to them become victims of scams , false marketing , fraud sales , and often depression . They are taken advantage of by those who do not follow any rules except how to make themselves richer and better . Lack of critical thinking is not equal to having faith . There are many religious and faithful people who practice critical and scientific thinking daily . Not being able to do so and practicing total dogmatic faith in everything you are being told is dangerous for you and those around you . Only this morning , I read a story of a 69 - year - old , lonely woman , who met a gentleman on line , shared similar views and faith with him , admired his dedication to church and poor people , and gave him almost all of her retirement savings . He turned out to be a rich scammer who has done a similar bluff many times before . There were many signs that something was off , but the woman did not use any critical thinking in processing those signs . She is in grief now , over her money but mostly , over losing the scammer's ' love : presented by Arlington Dermatology During the times of social media platforms being our daily feeds of information , internet applications allowing to conduct all kinds of transactions and exchanges without stepping outside of your room , thousands of hackers and other thieves , our vigilance to capture those ' tricksters ' should be as sharp as a razor . The same should apply to various mass media sources that lean too much into one direction . They tend to present information from one - sided view , with no perspective or context , and their presentations are voice - persuasive . However , if you think twice about the actual message , you easily find that there is something wrong with that message . It especially applies to those who claim to follow religious rules but tell you to hate others . This makes no sense . Certainly , not in a message of Jesus who told us to love one another . And he was not the only one to proclaim love . Why am I writing about it ? Simply because I trust science and follow it for the last 40 years or so . Simply because I read information from multiple sources and look for a common denominator before I make my opinions . Simply because I care that children learn how to think critically before they grow into adults who have no curiosity in finding the truth . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net