Critical thinking is critical
The world doesn’t lack things that bruise my idealistic heart but tell me America is getting stupid and I fear a fracture. Such hope I held for people these recent decades of internet, stream-on-demand documentaries and affordable online courses. What a leap for mankind it was supposed to be.
Sadly, the U.S. is not becoming smarter. Results from a study by Northwestern University and the University of Oregon found American intelligence measures decreasing. Scores in logic, vocabulary, and visual/mathematical problem-solving and analogies declined between 2006 and 2018. Skills that enable our ability to figure things out in a complex world, our ability to determine truth from misinformation and skills to avoid being manipulated by nefarious actors are a matter of national security.
Intelligence researchers suspect our dependence on having answers at our fingertips are doing little to encourage use of higher thinking skills. As I’m appreciative of having answers at my fingertips and higher thinking skills, I admit to wanting both.
Brain health experts say overexposure to electronics and addictive, thoughtless social media can atrophy the learning centers of the brain. Prescriptive advice to stimulate brains includes reading, exercise, nutrition (yes, we should feed people, especially kids), playing a musical instrument and crafts or hobbies that require manual dexterity. In other words: de-screen and do something.
The care and feeding of our brains is patriotic lest we become a nation of idiots unable to contribute, to defend and secure. Do your part, Americans: Critically think for yourself today.
Janet Marugg
Clarkston
Do they really care?
In response to the 2024 Idaho GOP Convention held June 13-15 in Coeur d’ Alene: I find this interesting.
Idaho ranks 50th out of 50 states in the country in practicing physicians per capita.
Recently, Gov. Brad Little gave approval for the University of Idaho to expand health programs which will aim to train and retain healthcare professionals in Idaho. But here is my question.
It takes four years of college, four years of medical school and three-plus years of specialty training to become a physician. Evidently, the Idaho Legislature feels they are more qualified to make the determination about the abortion bans plaguing this state. Idaho outlaws pregnancy termination in virtually all cases.
Nearly 1 in 4 of Idaho’s OB-GYNs have left the state because they feel they can no longer provide safe care for their patients. Two hospitals have now closed their labor and delivery wards. There are now 51 fewer obstetricians in Idaho.
Does the Idaho Legislature really care about our young women? Interesting.
Rebecca Eke
Lewiston
