Critical Thinking and Society Exercise
“Thinking is skilled work. It is not true that we are naturally endowed with the ability to think clearly and logically - without learning how, or without practicing” ("Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues", n.d.).
Describe a situation in which critical and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations.
With an ever-increasing population, some cities are now experiencing the traffic congestion that is plaguing our roads and highways. The fast-paced lifestyles of people commuting to and from work, school, and other activities creates a dangerous potential for commuters who are anxious to get to their destination on time. Road rage is now becoming a common occurrence in some of our major cities. Los Angeles, for example, is home to hundreds of major freeways linking inner cities with suburbs. With a county population of more than nine million people (U.S Census Bureau, 2010) some drivers, specifically aggressive drivers, pose a threat to the safety of other people sharing the road ways.
I have experienced these same feelings when driving. In one instance, aggressive behavior such as tailgating, cutting off, sudden braking, etc was something I have done to me and vice versa. Trying to pinpoint where the fault originated is not important as to how these road rage situations could have been avoided in the first place.
A critical thinker should anticipate busy roads and plan accordingly. Most often poor planning and last minute rushing out the door is the beginning of the frustration that we face when driving. It seems to be that everyone else is taking their time while you are trying to get somewhere fast. It is imperative that you give yourself plenty of time to get ready and travel the distance you intend to commute. In the