Critical thinking: a lost art.

As I was reading through some articles on Survivalblog.com, I came across an interesting post by Mark B. In it, Mark made an interesting point:

“Remember that we started out without clothes and shelter. We started out without the ability to communicate over great distances without traveling them. We can now travel and communicate in space or around the planet all because we use our ability, our brains and by the choices that we make.”

We all come into this world with almost nothing. We lack the ability to really communicate, or even survive. Yet somehow we learn, we learn to learn, and we adapt. Somewhere in the downward spiral of society we’ve forgotten how to think for ourselves. As long as nothing gets between us and the drive thru at McDonalds most people never take their brain off autopilot, sticking to their daily routine like clock work. I don’t believe that society as a whole has lost it, but the ability to think critically-to rationalize, analyze, and weight the validity of the information we’re fed-is waning.

How many people actually participate in elections anymore? How many people know their party’s platform? How many people actually know how their representatives vote on a regular basis and more importantly, how many people actually know what the legislation is that is being voted on? The media feeds us quaint sound bites of legislation here or there and how’s its good or bad for us(depending on how it fits their agenda) and we’re often told that something will be for our good or for the good of the whole.

Noah Webster once said that, “Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority,” [but] “the Constitution” he added, “was made to guard against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.” Ben Franklin added that, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.“

Far too often we fail to think; We fail to engage our brains, do a little research and truly think about the implications of what we’re learning. I’m not talking about turning on CNN and buying in to what they say, but actually doing a search or two on a topic and getting down to the facts, formulating your own opinion and going from there. As Americans we’re far more content to hear about “that new book” than to read it for ourselves and learn the heart of the message, digest it for ourselves , and assimilate it with our beliefs and morals.

Hang with me for a moment, I’m getting to my point. Our guns won’t be taken away from us in a day. Those who would have them are much too clever and surreptitious for that and most Americans would never put up with the seizure. But, take away our guns one at a time through restrictions and bans? Absolutely? Demand registration of all your arms? You bet! First its the “assault weapons”, then they’ll limit types and quantities of ammo. Next, your handguns will be too dangerous and before you know it your little old skeet shotgun will be history as well.

Think about who you support and why. Think about the issues that are important to you and why they’re important to you-be it self defense or the environment. The people who represent you affect your daily life-not only today but for years down the road. Stay abreast of the issues and legislation that affects you. Educate yourself, engage your brain, and be involved.