As #WaltWhitman intuited in his poem “I Sing the Body Electric,” #electrometrical measurements in the brain suggest natural #DigitalThinking. @JohnNosta brilliantly illustrates seamless integration of technology to further digitize our #CognitiveProcesses. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/…

Arguing, as I do when I speak about the vitality of mastering #metacognition, that "The freedom to think freely is the greatest of all freedoms" can be approached from various perspectives, I introduce a headful of philosophical, practical, and historical views (see quote in posted image): 1. Free Thinking is Fundamental and Foundational to Individual Autonomy #PersonalAutonomy: The freedom to think allows individuals to form their own beliefs, values, and opinions. Without this freedom, personal autonomy is severely compromised because people can't/won't develop their own identities or make independent choices. Basis for Other Freedoms: Many other freedoms—such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly—are built upon the foundation of free thinking. If individuals cannot think freely, these other freedoms lose their meaning. 2. Driving Force of Innovation and Progress Innovation: #FreeThinking is crucial for #creativity and #innovation. It's the metacognitive ability to think outside of accepted norms and challenge the status quo that leads to scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and artistic achievements. #ProblemSolving: By fostering a diversity of ideas and perspectives, the freedom to think freely allows societies to tackle complex problems more effectively. 3. Vital for a Democratic Society #InformedCitizenry: For democracy to function properly, citizens must be able to think critically and independently. This includes questioning authority, evaluating evidence, and engaging in thoughtful, humble, and respectful debate. #CitizenThinkers and their #ElectedThinkers—especially the #ThinkerInChief of the United States—must pause to think about their thinking long enough to identify their best available LEARNED mindsets and specific types of thinking required, all the while remaining vigilant and resistant to risky #CognitiveBiases they can name and describe. Pluralism: A healthy #democracy thrives on a plurality of thoughts and ideas, which can coexist and compete in the public sphere, leading to deeper insights and more robust and reliable decision-making. 4. Historical Lessons Totalitarian Regimes: History shows that suppressing free thinking is a common tactic of totalitarian regimes. Control over what people think typically leads to broader suppression of freedoms and human rights. Intellectual Movements: Many of the world's most significant intellectual and social movements, like the Renaissance and the Scottish Enlightenment, were grounded in the unfettered (i.e., free-thinking) exchange of deeper, wider, and higher insights and free-flowing ideas. 5. Personal Fulfillment Self-Expression and Growth: The freedom to think is intrinsic to personal development, fulfillment, and flourishing instead of languishing. Free thinking allows individuals to explore their interests, understand themselves better, and pursue their passions. #MentalHealth: Psychological #wellbeing is closely linked to the ability to think freely and honestly about oneself and one’s circumstances. Suppressing free thought can lead to #CognitiveDissonance, mental distress, #MoralInjury, and other adverse outcomes. The freedom to think freely is, therefore, not just another freedom but the bedrock upon which all other freedoms stand, I believe. Do you agree? Free thinking is essential for personal growth, societal progress, and for the sustainable functioning of democratic institutions. Do you agree? In its absence, other freedoms cannot flourish, making it arguably the greatest of all freedoms. Do you agree? —JRDjr

#DavidHume’s #ScottishThinking ruffled feathers and hiked kilts. His #ScotThoughts coursed through brave brains and bulging veins of the #Scot third of the #FoundingThinkers who signed, on 2 August 1776, The Declaration of Independence. His disruptive #thinking retains its value.

Page after page, The Brothers Karamazov is full of psychological insight. Who doesn't recognize someone they know (or themselves) in this?

The quantity of talk and thought about #ArtificialIntelligence (#AI) seems to be at an all-time high. As machine thinking is top-of-mind, let's also focus on human thinking. "From Metacognition to Metacerebration™" is @EnclaveAcademy's cerebral invitation to ignite metathinking.