[jussaying2]

Well if that's the problem, then maybe address that, perhaps by teaching people critical thinking skills?

But teaching people to ask critical questions risks unraveling the fabric of American capitalism ("Hey why is it that the government spends more on healthcare per capita than any other OECD country but with markedly worse outcomes?", "How can we call ourselves the greatest nation on Earth when we are simultaneously the wealthiest nation on the planet and still have such poor health, education and quality of life indicators?"), so we can't have that can we?

[kelnos]

> Well if that's the problem, then maybe address that, perhaps by teaching people critical thinking skills?

We should do that, but reforming our education system will take years or decades. And in any event, any solution that requires everyone to learn or do something or act in a particular way is doomed to fail. Humans just don't work like that.

And even with robust critical thinking skills, people are still susceptible to psychological manipulation. That's never going to change.

[wiseowise]

> But teaching people to ask critical questions risks

How long will it take to do it on a meaningful scale, all while “free-thinkers” (read Chinese and Russian bots) beat the drum of “they’re brainwashing you”?

[shakna]

About five years, for Finland's critical thinking curriculum. (First results, to latest.)

However, that requires an education system that can be easily updated, and widely rolled out, without being shotgunned by anyone who has already lost their critical thinking ability, who may be in a position in government.

[wholinator2]

Yeah, i'd imagine one cycle of high school oughtta get everyone through at least one class, with the new life experience to have actually used and explored it. Teach it in homeroom where you teach the other mostly bs but sometimes valuable things, make em do 2-3 weeks on it and for gods sake have the curriculum written by experts and NOT BY POLITICIANS. I can't think of anything worse than a "bipartisan effort to design curriculum though congressional committee"

[BeFlatXIII]

To be fair, everyone I disagree with is a Russian bot or a <anti-Chinese slur removed>.

[wiseowise]

Whatever lets you sleep at night.