It feels like an era ago when I studied at university. Back in my day...
We were asked not to just to "learn" what was in our lectures and slides, but to really think about the ideas, and even challenge them and do our own research.
Same applied to anything else you would read, as you might not always be able to trust its source.
It also brings us closer to objectivity, being able to discern truth from fiction.
However, over time, it definitely feels like "information" has changed. For example, the news was once the purveyor of objective facts. However, we entered an era of "Buzzfeed" headlines and journalism that is aimed at shock and awe (and profit).
Yet, ironically, we have leaned into our biases, ready to put our trust in information purely based on who or what is passing that information to you.
Even moreso than before, we need to be able to critically think and analyse to understand what is objective truth.
Once upon a time, I would consume only particular news sources, which confirm my political leanings.
One day, probably just over 10 years ago, I came across a post on Facebook that was quite contradictory to my beliefs. I felt frustrated reading it, however, strangely I had an obsession of reading more of this person's posts. I suppose this unlocked something in me - which told me that perhaps not everything I believed was right.
Since then, I kept reading across the spectrum, from all sources. I realised it's not about whether ideas come from the left or right that make them good.
As society becomes more politically divided than ever, we need to erase our own biases. Come from an "empty" frame of mind when pondering ideas, and to constructively critique ideas in an objective manner.