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The Influencers you follow on social media || Acharya Prashant, at IIT-Roorkee (2022)
Breaking Free
5K views
1 year ago
Critical Thinking
Inquiry
Information Explosion
Vedant
Upanishads
Rationality
Self-Knowledge
Wisdom
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the influence of motivational speakers and social media personalities, urging students to apply the same critical thinking to life that they use in science and technology. He explains that a rational mind should not just accept conclusions but must scrutinize the entire process, including the underlying assumptions and logical steps. He notes that many people compartmentalize their minds, being scientific in their professional fields while remaining superstitious or submissive in their personal lives. This lack of inquiry makes individuals vulnerable to exploitation by those who benefit from keeping their audience in a state of juvenile ignorance. He further discusses how the modern information explosion often crowds out genuine wisdom with 'junk knowledge.' While great philosophical texts are more accessible than ever, they are frequently ignored in favor of fast-paced, superficial content that stunts mental growth. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that true adulthood and youthfulness are not biological milestones but are developed through the study of great literature and the constant practice of questioning. He encourages the audience to use the 'pause button' on life and media, refusing to move forward until a point is thoroughly understood and verified, as the freedom to question is the first step toward true liberation.