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Hello Dear Readers, Welcome to the weekly Sunday Synapse. Here we engage with ideas and trigger thoughts. Thank you for being here. Writing these newsletters keeps me accountable—to you, to myself, and my ideas. I may not always be right, and I don’t write these letters to showcase what I know. Instead, they reflect my commitment to thinking critically about my own thoughts. Putting the ideas I have acquired through listening, reading broadly, and writing academic articles into words holds me accountable. Your questions, reflections, and challenges are vital in that process. Thank you for keeping me grounded and engaged. The people around us do this more powerfully than any other practice can. Thought 1: Philosophical Quote "Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." (Laozi, ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (Daoism) and the author of the Tao Te Ching, a fundamental text of the philosophy).
Thought 2 Balancing Objectivity with Instinct: Paths to Clear Thinking Objective Thinking in Society Today marks the first letter following an American election that has shaken the world. I’m not sure what creates more drama—the individual elected or the words of those on the sidelines who feed off and amplify public emotion. Given my years of studying institutions and power, I tend to make the intellectual assumption that the latter has a lot to do with it. While it’s natural for people to be deeply emotional during such events, a critical thinker will aim to cut through the noise—though this is no easy task—and instead begin by asking: what led more than half of America to vote this way? What did they feel they needed that drove their choice? These are questions that matter. Approaching issues broadly like this helps us arrive at more thoughtful and intelligent answers. This is what it means to think objectively, to adopt an “outside-in” perspective. When we write a scientific paper, we use a similar approach. Objective thinking works like a funnel, starting broadly and narrowing down to the core insights. When we start with a subjective or micro problem rooted in our own feelings, our analysis can be skewed, and by definition, it will block a deeper understanding of the issue. While considering our subjective emotions is natural, as we constantly shift between the objective and subjective, our biases influence when we will lean more towards one or the other. We tend to think more objectively about issues we aren't emotionally invested in—for example, let's choose a boring yet objectively necessary task like changing a car tyre (Australian English rules sorry America). This task isn’t particularly emotional; it requires a straightforward solution, particularly in our modern world where our car is both a physical and symbolic vehicle to keep us going. We’re more likely to follow an orderly process and might listen to someone knowledgeable, and more likely with little resistance, set our egos aside since the shared goal is simply to fix the tyre and move on. Interjecting with conflict or emotion would only slow the process or create a standstill, which no one wants. This illustrates how objectivity and context often go hand in hand. Using critical thinking right now, think about this a little. When are YOU likely to be more objective? Social and Emotional Objectivity However, when the path to more nuanced personal success is less clear, it becomes more challenging to set our emotions aside. This is where feelings begin to deeply influence our decisions. Choices that impact our social, emotional, and psychological well-being are often complex, and we think we are navigating them as best we can. I argue that most people can do much better and with critical thinking and enhanced emotional intelligence, we can apply the same thoughtful, deliberate processes to our social challenges. Today, we live in more isolated ways than ever before, with less interaction and communication within our communities. This is a well-documented fact. As a result, we miss opportunities to practice and refine natural social thinking skills that teach us what works and what doesn’t while simultaneously building psychological resilience. Over time, through reading and observation of patterns, I am convinced now that our minds are designed to harmonise with our direct social environments. The best bet for mental health is that we use the social world to trigger us into adjusting our thinking patterns accordingly. Yet we are now more focused on adjusting the world around us to fit with our minds. This is a problem because every single person wants the same outcome: that the objective world fits with their subjective mind. Now that we spend less time engaging in society and more time inside and online, this harmony is catastrophically disrupted. This is a serious issue, contributing to a skyrocketing mental health crisis in the Western world. Learning Critical Thinking and How To Be More Objective When I started my PhD journey and immersed myself in academia, I began to truly learn critical thinking. It taught me how to organise ideas, information, facts, and my emotions. I practised identifying what was relevant, what wasn’t, and how everything fit together. Most people who complete a PhD should develop this skill; however, their ability to engage in truly critical thinking can be constrained by the institutional parameters imposed on them, limiting their freedom and flexibility to think critically outside of the bounds of the intellectual responsibilities that ensure their bills are paid. Statistically, only 50% of PhD candidates finish within a ten-year period. That was a test of psychological resilience, and it was the best game I won. My ability to objectively assess problems has given me a unique control over my social decision-making that many struggle to achieve. Except this is a skill that anyone can learn. So, in this week’s letter, let’s look at the objective and intuitive mind. Why We Are Not Objective and When to Be Objective We learn objectivity by reducing the need for instinctive reactions. Instinct is a natural human trait, essential when we have little time and need to respond quickly. Because of this, we often choose instinct over fact. Now that we live in a time where we’re not dodging attacks from saber-toothed cats or diving for cover from charging mammoths, our instinctual need for quick reactions isn’t quite as critical. Yet, we still carry the evolutionary hardwiring that pushes our brains to prioritise instinct over thoughtful deliberation. So how do we begin to become more deliberate in our thinking? There is only one way: to become more confident in what you’re thinking about. Our knowledge vulnerabilities are the reason we are messy with our thinking. When you know more about a topic, you’re less likely to try and fill in the gaps. It’s this need to fill gaps in knowledge that leads us to rely on instinct and make assumptions, drawing only from the limited pool of information we already possess. This is why intellectuals are very reasoned, controlled, and balanced as they discuss complex ideas. The less you know, the more you show it, the more you know, the less it is shown. For example, as a sociologist, I read extensively on systems that cause social problems and social health. But I also make sure to read books written by psychologists and biologists to gain a holistic understanding of all aspects of the human experience in social life and to deepen my understanding of social issues. If I only read sociological ideas, my perspective would be unbalanced and biased, limiting my grasp of what shapes our decisions and challenges. I do not want to do that. The more I read, the less I need to jump to conclusions or fill in knowledge gaps. I am also aware of how much I do not know so I am tolerant of other ideas as long as people are talking to me respectfully and not insulting me. Side note: I am extremely intolerant of anyone who uses unfair power tactics to dominate the thoughts of others. But that’s just me. My letters are not intended to encourage endless reading, but rather to inspire you to consistently explore and entertain diverse ideas. You can gain this through reading or just through exposing yourself and observing the world and its ways. The more you fill in your knowledge gaps, the more intelligent assumptions you will make. Intelligent assumptions stem from drawing on a pool of quality information, which enhances your ability to speak objectively, fairly, and in a balanced manner. Read works by authors who offer balanced and fair analyses, avoiding those who polarise and write with heavy emotion—while they may be engaging, such works often appeal more to our instinctive nature rather than encouraging fair and balanced thinking. Make sure you also consider opposing views. Don’t stress yourself out, just know that other ideas exist. It’s as simple as that. Focus on long-form content instead of short-form posts, subjective blogs, or social media reels, which are often pre-filtered and lack depth. Every time we read small pieces of information, they are often predesigned to suggest a particular thought or project an idea based on the author's perspective. Ideas are rarely straightforward—they have nuance, and context, and always require deeper understanding. Read long-form information, because you cannot argue with a book; you have to sit with it, reflecting quietly, with only your mind and biases to contend with. It is one of the most powerful mental activities you can engage in. As you learn more, you should become less confused, not more. I would suggest reading when you are in a good headspace. When Information Becomes Bad I recall a time when too much reading made things worse for me—it happened during a period of identity transition when I was highly vulnerable and emotional. It was a time of great tenderness, and I needed solitude and fewer words to connect with and hear myself. This was when I had my first child. In an information-saturated world and without a community or ‘tribe’ to guide me, I turned to books. Instead of feeling reassured, I became more anxious, not less. This is not what information should do. The anxiety came from the tension between the words I read and the instinct I already possessed as a mother. The books people gave me advised me not to pick up my child when she was crying to teach her how to sleep, but my maternal instinct told me that was wrong. I should have listened to that instinct, but there was no one there except me, my vulnerability and uncertainty, and the words in this book. I live with that guilt for the rest of my life. This occurred when I was at my most vulnerable, still uncertain of my identity as a new and emerging mother. When we find ourselves conflicted by information while navigating liminal spaces—those transformative periods where we are developing a new sense of self—we are especially susceptible to identity pollution. This happens to all of us at different stages in our lives where we transition from one stage to the next where there is a period of confusion and ambiguity. In this stage, if we are not allowed to transition without obstruction, we risk turning against ourselves and the world around us, and it can lead us to become partially toxic in our thoughts and actions. I think this is happening in our society right now over and over again for many people. Anyway, I will write about liminality and identity another time. This was a topic I wrote about in my PhD thesis, which won an award. Anyway, back to instinct. This is not something any book can teach, as many parenting books are designed with humans fitting into a Westernised and industrialised society with productivity in mind. Beyond my personal vendetta against those who write polarising books telling mothers how to mother, I’ve learned the importance of knowing when to trust the subjective, feeling mind and when to lean on objective facts. For example, you might consult a book or expert advice for understanding general developmental milestones. But when it comes to recognising your baby’s unique needs and readiness, your instincts and your baby’s real-time cues often reveal what no standardised guideline can ever fully capture. Thought 3 CT Activities this Week Activity 1: Objective and Subjective
This week, pay close attention to when you find yourself reacting subjectively during conversations. This could be during commentary after watching a film, or any instance where you share an opinion. If you are someone who makes commentary quickly and reactively, your chances of processing the idea with depth are lower. It does not mean it is wrong, it is just an activity to recognise it. As I have said, subjective and intuitive thinking serves important functions when used well. We can use our critical thinking skills to understand when using instinct is important. Also think about when you may be engaging more objectively, and under what conditions you find yourself doing this. Activity 2: Practising Objective and Slow Thinking
To keep instinctive and reactionary thinking controlled we can practice slow, deliberate thinking. Try this as you deeply engage with ideas in a book: Pause Before Making Assumptions: When encountering new ideas, resist the urge to form immediate judgements. Be open to understanding what the author is trying to convey before jumping to conclusions based on your own preconceived notions of what is right or wrong. Reflect on the Value of New Perspectives: Consider why a new way of looking at an issue might be relevant, helpful, or even necessary. Ask yourself what this perspective can contribute to your knowledge base. Remember, every idea has the potential to add depth to your understanding. Be Aware of Your State of Mind: Recognise how your mood can influence how you engage with ideas. Fatigue, hunger, or stress can decrease your openness to new perspectives. Push to approach your reading and thinking from a balanced state whenever possible and when you make a mistake say it!
That is it from me for today! Please send me an email if you have any comments, ideas, epiphanies, stories, or feedback, or please just send mail to say hello! Until next week… Esha.
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