Rachel Maddow and John Stewart’s presentation of the news requires critical thinking. They both use what Dewey, in “Critical Thinking: an Introduction,” calls “reflexive thinking.” Instead of simply taking in information and spitting it back to the audience, they are actively evaluating and interpreting the information and presenting their comments and critiques to the audience. They don’t just take things at face value but analyze events with skill and skepticism. Through their critiques, they bring wit and creativity into a traditionally dry and boring newscast.
Fisher emphasized the importance of creativity in the ‘critico-creative’ thinking model. Maddow and Stewart rely on their creativity as their audiences expect more than just a bare news broadcast. Their creativity and unique spin of an event or idea is what gives them their loyal followers who tune in every week. It is their creativity that differentiates them from everyone else out there who is talking about pretty much the same things.
I wouldn’t consider the epithets in the New York Times “The Rage Is Not About Health Care” to be critical thinking. They demonstrate no evidence that any thought went into careful analysis of the issue. Instead they simplified the problem into quick phrases with the single purpose of finding someone to direct their fear and anger.
However the author demonstrates critical thinking by making connections and historic references throughout the article. He doesn’t take the fear and anger directed at Barney Frank or John Lewis at face value but delves deeper into the issue identifying a not so obvious source—the fear of a changing America.
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