Think Differently

The importance of rational thinking in today’s world.

Why The Rational Thinker?

Rational thinking is our ability to draw sensible conclusions from facts, logic, and data.

In simple words: Our thinking is based on facts and not emotions.

Sounds simple enough, but it is getting properly hard with each passing day.

We are sliding down a slippery slope where our ability to think rationally is slowly but surely eroding.

The line between fact and fiction is fading. Fake news and the impact of social media platform algorithms are increasingly changing how we view the world and our ability to rationally make sense of it.

Debates have hardened in this era of polarization, dividing people more than ever.

It is difficult to voice your opinion and not be immediately labeled… A few examples:

If I say that I do not think Trump is a good leader.. I am a leftist Marxist.
If I state that I do not think that Biden had a vision to end the Ukraine and Israel “conflicts”… I am a MAGA evangelist.
If I point out that the Israeli treatment of Palestinians in Gaza is concerning to me… I am an antisemitic.
If I voice that I condemn the actions of Hamas… I am Pro Israeli.

The reality is that one view does not exclude another and it is the basis of debate, exchanging views with a purpose of understanding complex situations and each other better.

News sources increasingly “choose sides” (FOX or CNN anyone?) versus contributing to providing an objective and independent view to its readers, viewers and listeners.

And I don’t like it. I think we can do better.

I want to provide a rational perspective on economic, social & political topics and events that matter to us.

Reflections on Turning 46 in a Hyperconnected World

Next Week, I Turn 46

Which means, let’s face it, I am no longer young. More importantly, I grew up without a smartphone (yes, that makes me old) and our first family PC monitor was green and black (ancient by any standard).

From Disconnected to Overconnected

In the past 30 years, I have gone from being largely disconnected, with only a fixed landline and a dial up modem, to being completely overconnected. I remember anxiously watching the clock while playing my first Command & Conquer games online because every minute meant higher internet costs. I remember commuting forty-five minutes to university, reading my Robert Ludlum novel in hardcopy. Yes, I had a mobile phone, but playing Snake or Tetris got boring really fast. Back then, a phone was simply a means to communicate, to call and receive messages.

The Blackberry Era and Beyond

I remember getting my first Blackberry, loving the rotating dial, and feeling exuberant when I was able to reply to a message while on holiday in Greece early in my career.

F*ck (excuse my French, I have no better word for it), those times were good, looking back now.

The Impact of Technology: We All Feel It

I have read many books on the impact of technology on our personal lives. Sure, I could quote academic sources stating that the average person spends eight hours staring at their phone, picking it up more than fifty times a day. Yes, I could recommend some great books on this topic that would likely open your eyes, including

The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (although Deep Work hits the mark as well)
Solitude by Michael Harris

But why would I do that, when I am convinced that there are many others out there who feel their relationship with technology is broken, who feel that the lure of social media platforms has become toxic and algorithms are changing the way they perceive the world and themselves.

Realization is the First Step

Technology has brought us many things, but not all of them are good. It starts with a realization, and trust me, it is not an overnight fix.

I hope my story here contributes to your own moment of realization.

Think Differently

What’s with this “Rational Thinker” stuff ?!?

Fixing My Relationship With Technology