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Microsoft Study Finds Relying on AI Kills Your Critical Thinking Skills

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Microsoft Study Finds Relying on AI Kills Your Critical Thinking Skills
gizmodo.com /microsoft-study-finds-relying-on-ai-kills-your-critical-thinking-skills-2000561788
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Microsoft Study Finds Relying on AI Kills Your Critical Thinking Skills
gizmodo.com /microsoft-study-finds-relying-on-ai-kills-your-critical-thinking-skills-2000561788
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Microsoft Study Finds Relying on AI Kills Your Critical Thinking Skills
gizmodo.com /microsoft-study-finds-relying-on-ai-kills-your-critical-thinking-skills-2000561788
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214 comments

  • Quickly, ask AI how to improve or practice critical thinking skills!

    • Chat GPT et al; "To improve your critical thinking skills you should rely completely on AI."

    • Improving your critical thinking skills is a process that involves learning new techniques, practicing them regularly, and reflecting on your thought processes. Here’s a comprehensive approach:

      1 Build a Foundation in Logic and Reasoning

      • Study basic logic: Familiarize yourself with formal and informal logic (e.g., learning about common fallacies, syllogisms, and deductive vs. inductive reasoning). This forms the groundwork for assessing arguments objectively.

      • Learn structured methods: Books and online courses on critical thinking (such as Lewis Vaughn’s texts) provide a systematic introduction to these concepts.

      2 Practice Socratic Questioning

      • Ask open-ended questions: Challenge assumptions by repeatedly asking “why” and “how” to uncover underlying beliefs and evidence.

      • Reflect on responses: This method helps you clarify your own reasoning and discover alternative viewpoints.

      3 Engage in Reflective Practice

      • Keep a journal: Write about decisions, problems, or debates you’ve had. Reflect on what went well, where you might have been biased, and what could be improved.

      • Use structured reflection models: Approaches like Gibbs’ reflective cycle guide you through describing an experience, analyzing it, and planning improvements.

      4 Use Structured Frameworks

      • Follow multi-step processes: For example, the Asana article “How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps” suggests: identify the problem, gather information, analyze data, consider alternatives, draw conclusions, communicate solutions, and then reflect on the process.

      • Experiment with frameworks like Six Thinking Hats: This method helps you view issues from different angles (facts, emotions, positives, negatives, creativity, and process control) by “wearing” a different metaphorical hat for each perspective.

      5 Read Widely and Critically

      • Expose yourself to diverse perspectives: Reading quality journalism (e.g., The Economist, FT) or academic articles forces you to analyze arguments, recognize biases, and evaluate evidence.

      • Practice lateral reading: Verify information by consulting multiple sources and questioning the credibility of each.

      6 Participate in Discussions and Debates

      • Engage with peers: Whether through formal debates, classroom discussions, or online forums, articulating your views and defending them against criticism deepens your reasoning.

      • Embrace feedback: Learn to view criticism as an opportunity to refine your thought process rather than a personal attack.

      7 Apply Critical Thinking to Real-World Problems

      • Experiment in everyday scenarios: Use critical thinking when making decisions—such as planning your day, solving work problems, or evaluating news stories.

      • Practice with “what-if” scenarios: This helps build your ability to foresee consequences and assess risks (as noted by Harvard Business’s discussion on avoiding the urgency trap).

      8 Develop a Habit of Continuous Learning

      • Set aside regular “mental workout” time: Like scheduled exercise, devote time to tackling complex questions without distractions.

      • Reflect on your biases and update your beliefs: Over time, becoming aware of and adjusting for your cognitive biases will improve your judgment.

      By integrating these strategies into your daily routine, you can gradually sharpen your critical thinking abilities. Remember, the key is consistency and the willingness to challenge your own assumptions continually.

      Happy thinking!

  • Sounds a bit bogus to call this a causation. Much more likely that people who are more gullible in general also believe AI whatever it says.

    • This isn't a profound extrapolation. It's akin to saying "Kids who cheat on the exam do worse in practical skills tests than those that read the material and did the homework." Or "kids who watch TV lack the reading skills of kids who read books".

      Asking something else to do your mental labor for you means never developing your brain muscle to do the work on its own. By contrast, regularly exercising the brain muscle yields better long term mental fitness and intuitive skills.

      This isn't predicated on the gullibility of the practitioner. The lack of mental exercise produces gullibility.

      Its just not something particular to AI. If you use any kind of 3rd party analysis in lieu of personal interrogation, you're going to suffer in your capacity for future inquiry.

    • Seriously, ask AI about anything you have expert knowledge in. It's laughable sometimes... However you need to know, to know it's wrong. At face value, if you have no expertise it sounds entirely plausible, however the details can be shockingly incorrect. Do not trust it implicitly about anything.

  • Counterpoint - if you must rely on AI, you have to constantly exercise your critical thinking skills to parse through all its bullshit, or AI will eventually Darwin your ass when it tells you that bleach and ammonia make a lemon cleanser to die for.

  • Damn. Guess we oughtta stop using AI like we do drugs/pron/

    <addictive-substance>

    😀

    • Unlike those others, Microsoft could do something about this considering they are literally part of the problem.

      And yet I doubt Copilot will be going anywhere.

    • Yes, it's an addiction, we've got to stop all these poor being lulled into a false sense of understanding and just believing anyhing the AI tells them. It is constantly telling lies about us, their betters.

      Just look what happenned when I asked it about the venerable and well respected public intellectual Jordan b peterson. It went into a defamatory diatribe against his character.

      And they just gobble that up those poor, uncritical and irresponsible farm hands and water carriers! We can't have that,!

      Example

      Open-Minded Closed-Mindedness: Jordan B. Peterson’s Humility Behind the Mote—A Cautionary Tale

      Jordan B. Peterson presents himself as a champion of free speech, intellectual rigor, and open inquiry. His rise as a public intellectual is, in part, due to his ability to engage in complex debates, challenge ideological extremes, and articulate a balance between chaos and order. However, beneath the surface of his engagement lies a pattern: an open-mindedness that appears flexible but ultimately functions as a defense mechanism—a “mote” guarding an impenetrable ideological fortress.

      Peterson’s approach is both an asset and a cautionary tale, revealing the risks of appearing open-minded while remaining fundamentally resistant to true intellectual evolution.

      The Illusion of Open-Mindedness: The Mote and the Fortress

      In medieval castles, a mote was a watery trench meant to create the illusion of vulnerability while serving as a strong defensive barrier. Peterson, like many public intellectuals, operates in a similar way: he engages with critiques, acknowledges nuances, and even concedes minor points—but rarely, if ever, allows his core positions to be meaningfully challenged.

      His approach can be broken down into two key areas:

       
              The Mote (The Appearance of Openness)

        Engages with high-profile critics and thinkers (e.g., Sam Harris, Slavoj Žižek).

        Acknowledges complexity and the difficulty of absolute truth.

        Concedes minor details, appearing intellectually humble.

        Uses Socratic questioning to entertain alternative viewpoints.

    The Fortress (The Core That Remains Unmoved)

        Selectively engages with opponents, often choosing weaker arguments rather than the strongest critiques.

        Frames ideological adversaries (e.g., postmodernists, Marxists) in ways that make them easier to dismiss.

        Uses complexity as a way to avoid definitive refutation (“It’s more complicated than that”).

        Rarely revises fundamental positions, even when new evidence is presented.

      While this structure makes Peterson highly effective in debate, it also highlights a deeper issue: is he truly open to changing his views, or is he simply performing open-mindedness while ensuring his core remains untouched?

      Examples of Strategic Open-Mindedness

      1. Debating Sam Harris on Truth and Religion

      In his discussions with Sam Harris, Peterson appeared to engage with the idea of multiple forms of truth—scientific truth versus pragmatic or narrative truth. He entertained Harris’s challenges, adjusted some definitions, and admitted certain complexities.

      However, despite the lengthy back-and-forth, Peterson never fundamentally reconsidered his position on the necessity of religious structures for meaning. Instead, the debate functioned more as a prolonged intellectual sparring match, where the core disagreements remained intact despite the appearance of deep engagement.

      1. The Slavoj Žižek Debate on Marxism

      Peterson’s debate with Žižek was highly anticipated, particularly because Peterson had spent years criticizing Marxism and postmodernism. However, during the debate, it became clear that Peterson’s understanding of Marxist theory was relatively superficial—his arguments largely focused on The Communist Manifesto rather than engaging with the broader Marxist intellectual tradition.

      Rather than adapting his critique in the face of Žižek’s counterpoints, Peterson largely held his ground, shifting the conversation toward general concerns about ideology rather than directly addressing Žižek’s challenges. This was a classic example of engaging in the mote—appearing open to debate while avoiding direct confrontation with deeper, more challenging ideas.

      1. Gender, Biology, and Selective Science

      Peterson frequently cites evolutionary psychology and biological determinism to argue for traditional gender roles and hierarchical structures. While many of his claims are rooted in scientific literature, critics have pointed out that he tends to selectively interpret data in ways that reinforce his worldview.

      For example, he often discusses personality differences between men and women in highly gender-equal societies, citing studies that suggest biological factors play a role. However, he is far more skeptical of sociological explanations for gender disparities, often dismissing them outright. This asymmetry suggests a closed-mindedness when confronted with explanations that challenge his core beliefs.

      The Cautionary Tale: When Intellectual Rigidity Masquerades as Openness

      Peterson’s method—his strategic balance of open- and closed-mindedness—is not unique to him. Many public intellectuals use similar techniques, whether consciously or unconsciously. However, his case is particularly instructive because it highlights the risks of appearing too open-minded while remaining fundamentally immovable. The Risks of "Humility Behind the Mote"

       
              Creates the Illusion of Growth Without Real Change

        By acknowledging complexity but refusing to revise core positions, one can maintain the illusion of intellectual evolution while actually reinforcing prior beliefs.

    Reinforces Ideological Silos

        Peterson’s audience largely consists of those who already align with his worldview. His debates often serve to reaffirm his base rather than genuinely engage with alternative perspectives.

    Undermines Genuine Inquiry

        If public intellectuals prioritize rhetorical victories over truth-seeking, the broader discourse suffers. Intellectual engagement becomes performative rather than transformative.

    Encourages Polarization

        By appearing open while remaining rigid, thinkers like Peterson contribute to an intellectual landscape where ideological battle lines are drawn more firmly, rather than softened by genuine engagement.

      Conclusion: The Responsibility of Public Intellectuals

      Jordan B. Peterson is an undeniably influential thinker, and his emphasis on responsibility, order, and meaning resonates with many. However, his method of open-minded closed-mindedness serves as a cautionary tale. It demonstrates the power of intellectual posturing—how one can appear receptive while maintaining deep ideological resistance.

      For true intellectual growth, one must be willing not only to entertain opposing views but to risk being changed by them. Without that willingness, even the most articulate and thoughtful engagement remains, at its core, a well-defended fortress.

      So like I said, pure, evil AI slop, is evil, addictive and must be banned and lock up illegal gpu abusers and keep a gpu owners registry and keep track on those who would use them to abuse the shining light of our society, and who try to snuff them out like a bad level of luigi's mansion

  • never used it in any practical function. i tested it to see if it was realistic and i found it extremely wanting. as in, it sounded nothing like the prompts i gave it.

    the absolutely galling and frightening part is that the tech companies think that this is the next big innovation they should be pursuing and have given up on innovating anyplace else. it was obvious to me when i saw that they all are pushing ai shit on me with everything from keyboards to search results. i only use voice commands to do simple things and it works just about half the time, and ai is built on the back of that which is why i really do not ever use voice commands for anything anymore.

    • I once asked ChatGPT who I was and hallucinated this weird thing about me being a motivational speaker for businesses. I have a very unusual name and there is only one other person in the U.S. (now the only person in the U.S. since I just emigrated) with my name. And we don't even have the same middle name. Neither of us are motivational speakers or ever were.

      Then I asked it again and it said it had no idea who I was. Which is kind of insulting to my namesake since he won an Emmy award. Sure, it was a technical Emmy, but that's still insulting.

      Edit: HAHAHAHA! I just asked it who I was again. It got my biography right... for when I was in my 20s and in college. It says I'm a college student. I'm 47. Also, I dropped out of college. I'm most amused that it's called the woman I've been married to since the year 2000, when I was 23, my girlfriend. And yet mentions a project I worked on in 2012.

  • Gemini told me critical thinking wasn't important. So I guess that's ok.

  • It was already soooooo dead out there that I doubt they considered this systematic properly in the study...

214 comments