Welcome to part two of our self-mastery guides. Like the first thread (fighting), this isn’t strictly looksmaxxing, it’s about maxxing your overall value as a man in todays world.
We’re living through an insane era of propaganda. Yes, I can back that claim...
You can be the smartest, strongest, even best-looking in the rat race the trouble with the rat race,however, is that you are still a rat.
This guide gives you a high-level on how to do that and how to keep your thinking hygiene clean day to day.
My definition, simple and useful:
Critical thinking = the discipline of thinking for yourself and knowing exactly why you feel, think, or act a certain way.
The most powerful tool here is the 5 Whys. Almost daily, someone (not acting in your best interest, by the way) will try to get you to agree to something that isn't favorable to you, or maybe to believe something you never examined.
Most people are trained to be “polite” and go along. If you do that, be honest , you’re weak and stupid.
The fix: ask why.
Ask it of other people, of your own beliefs, of your own emotions. Keep asking until you hit first principles, either a bona fide fact, or a principle you consciously accept.
Kids do this naturally. Why? Why? But why? Annoying , but they are right. They have yet to have their critical thinking robbed from them. Do the same.
You’ll notice that, for a lot of things, the supposed “first principles” are just opinions or traditions:
“that’s how it’s always been,” “everyone thinks that.” Weak.
So you learn more until it’s fact or a principle you actually agree with. Otherwise you’re just recycling someone else’s thoughts.
Rule: Question everything. Question yourself.
Don’t know why? Find out. Don’t understand? Learn. Be a detective. Get to the bottom of it, then build your beliefs on your reasons.
Why it’s important to think critically
We’re living through an insane era of propaganda. Yes, I can back that claim...
- People outsource their opinions to mainstream media.
- People copy whatever their favorite influencers say (best case: they’re selling you some junk course or sponsor; worst case: they’re pushing an agenda).
You can be the smartest, strongest, even best-looking in the rat race the trouble with the rat race,however, is that you are still a rat.
This guide gives you a high-level on how to do that and how to keep your thinking hygiene clean day to day.
How to think critically
When I first dug into this, it was mostly fluff and grifts. Ironically people selling “critical thinking” while preying on your lack of it. Human nature can sure be cruel!My definition, simple and useful:
Critical thinking = the discipline of thinking for yourself and knowing exactly why you feel, think, or act a certain way.
The most powerful tool here is the 5 Whys. Almost daily, someone (not acting in your best interest, by the way) will try to get you to agree to something that isn't favorable to you, or maybe to believe something you never examined.
Most people are trained to be “polite” and go along. If you do that, be honest , you’re weak and stupid.
The fix: ask why.
Ask it of other people, of your own beliefs, of your own emotions. Keep asking until you hit first principles, either a bona fide fact, or a principle you consciously accept.
Kids do this naturally. Why? Why? But why? Annoying , but they are right. They have yet to have their critical thinking robbed from them. Do the same.
You’ll notice that, for a lot of things, the supposed “first principles” are just opinions or traditions:
“that’s how it’s always been,” “everyone thinks that.” Weak.
So you learn more until it’s fact or a principle you actually agree with. Otherwise you’re just recycling someone else’s thoughts.
Rule: Question everything. Question yourself.
Don’t know why? Find out. Don’t understand? Learn. Be a detective. Get to the bottom of it, then build your beliefs on your reasons.
Daily habits for better thought hygiene
Rules of thumb to sharpen your thinking and keep it clean:- Quit (or radically cut) social media. You’re not getting smarter there. You’re getting programmed, and making some CEO richer. If that doesn’t annoy you, you are a weak man and don't deserve anything good.
- Read and learn. Find the gaps. Every belief you hold should have a clear first-principles backbone.
- Don’t watch the news as a habit. It’s mostly fear, drama, and angles. If something truly matters to your life, you’ll hear about it anyway.
- Challenge people. Ask why and have civil arguments. If they get angry at “why,” that’s your signal.
- Always ask why. Almost nothing is what it looks like on the surface. When you boil things down to truth, you strip out bias, agendas, and bullshit. You start thinking for yourself and that puts you ahead of 99% of people. That’s how leaders are made.
