HUMSS 125 TRENDS... Gr11 MODULE

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The 21st Century 1
The 21st Century
Our place in history
We are living at the dawn of a new era. The turn of the century saw the
beginning of the Information Age, marked by the launch of the Internet. The
years that followed experienced an unprecedented growth in the field of
Information Technology, with the Internet becoming a constant, if not
essential part of modern life.
Fast forward to the present; the Internet has become a daily need. Many
industries and professions now rely on the Internet in their day-to-day
operations. Families and individuals now require internet connection the
same way they require electricity or running water.
This is the 1st century of the third millennium, more commonly known as the
21st century. This is a time when the Information Age is in full swing and
advancements in technology are made available to the public in a pace that
has never been seen before in human history.
But like all other eras, ours has issues and challenges. The Information Age
requires us to learn new ways of doing things; a new way of seeing and living
in a social landscape that is rapidly changing. Information has never been as
free as it is today. How do we know which information to trust? How do we
decide where to spend our time when time is becoming a precious
commodity? How do we make sense of things when there are thousands of
different explanations available to us?
Also, during this time, humanity’s impact on the planet is becoming more and
more apparent. The actions of the previous generations have taken a toll on
the planet and it’s left to us to make the decisions that can make things better
or worse, not only for us as a species but to the world in general.
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This subject entitled Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st
Century will attempt to help you make sense of this modern age that we live
in. The first parts will help you understand how information is disseminated
and why some ideas become more popular than others. You will also learn
about social connections and how we interact with one another locally and
globally. Somewhere in the middle, you will learn about the importance of
critical thinking and how to sift through the vast amounts of information that
is available to you. Finally, at the end of this subject, we will discuss the
issues that we are facing and how we can make the modern concepts and
A Brief History technological advancements work towards the betterment of our lives.
To better understand our place in human history, let us briefly discuss the
chain of events that led to our present situation.
The Industrial Age

The Industrial Age is an era that started around the year 1760 when hand
tools and manual labor was replaced by steam-powered machinery and mass
production. During the Industrial Age, the quality of human life significantly
improved due to several advancements in technology, particularly in modern
medicine. Furthermore, economies all over the world grew exponentially due
to mass production and improved travel and communication.
The Industrial Age is believed to have been started by the Industrial
Revolution when further development of the steam engine allowed for
greater industrial applications which led to massive improvement in the
manufacturing capabilities of various nation-states and private entities all
over the world.
The Information Age

The Information age, also know as the Computer Age, Digital Age or New
Media Age is the time period that is believed to have started in the 1970’s and
goes on to this day. This era is characterized by the integration of computer
systems, online networks and digital information to the majority of
industries and in everyday human life.
It can be said that the Information Age was built on the foundation that was
laid down by the Industrial Age. The shift from analog to digital systems
improved existing processes that were developed during the Industrial Age.
For example, computerized recordkeeping was adopted my many industries
that previously used manual records. Though some new methods were
introduced, many digital systems were still based on tried and tested manual
practices.
The Information Age is causing great changes in the way people work. Jobs
that were previously done by workers such as assembly line work are now
being replaced by automated or computerized machines. This is causing a
great shift in the types of work that are available to the populace, specifically
the middle class. Because of automation or computerization of many tasks,
the demand for manual labor is declining while the demand for technically
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The 21st Century
skilled professionals such as scientists, engineers, programmers, and

analysts is increasing.
Furthermore, advancements in telecommunications, especially the Internet
allow employers to hire or “outsource” people from different parts of the
world, creating a world job market. This creates better opportunities for
professionals in developing countries like the Philippines. A biggest example
of this is the call center industry which is estimated to account for 10% of the
country’s economy (Source: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-
philippines-economy-20150202-story.html)
Just like The Industrial Age which began with the Industrial Revolution, the
Information age is said to have been started by the Digital Revolution which
can be traced to the 1950’s up to the late 1970’s when people started to use
computers for practical purposes.
21st Century Culture

Video: https://youtu.be/a2EgfkhC1eo
The video that you just watched was a series of commercials that were apart
of AT&T’s “You Will” marketing campaign launched in 1993. Depicted in the
videos are the technologies that people hoped to experience in the 21 st
century, which was then almost 2 decades away. The videos are fun to watch
now because most of the predictions came true. We saw videoconferencing,
tablet computers, GPS navigation, smart watches, and video on demand,
which are quite common today. It also featured distant learning or an online
classroom, which you are using right now.
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The 21st Century has always been seen as a dawn of a new era where
Information Technology will play a greater role in people’s lives. The
following are some of the most important technologies that are shaping the
21st century and how they are changing our society, our culture, and
ultimately, our lives.
The Internet
One of the biggest defining characteristics of this century is the abundance
and convenience of information that was made possible by the continuing
development of the Internet. It is estimated that 3 billion people (source:
http://time.com/money/3896219/internet-users-worldwide/) now have
access to the internet. That’s nearly half of the world’s population.
The history of the Internet can be traced as far back as the 1950’s but it was
in the 1990’s when it became widely used by the public. In the Philippines, it
all started in March 29, 1994; the first time Filipinos were able to establish a
connection to the internet.
The Internet revolutionized the way we work, communicate, learn and
entertain ourselves. As previously mentioned in this chapter, the Internet
made it possible for people from different parts of the world to work
together in real time. Faster Internet connection also enables us to
communicate with each other in many different ways, regardless of distance.
Social Media
Social media is a collection of Internet-based technologies that allow users to
share information and interact with one another in online communities. The
main difference between social media and other websites and online systems
is that it relies heavily on user participation. Social media sites merely serve
as platforms for people to create their own contents and share their own
ideas.
Social media websites cater to different kinds of content. There are social
media websites like Reddit and Twitter that focus on text content. Websites
like Youtube feature on user-created videos. Others like Instagram focus on
photos. Facebook, the most popular social media platform today allows users
to share different kinds of media.
Social media has become a highly effective tool for self expression. Because
social media websites are focused on the user instead of the owners, they
encourage people to express themselves in many different ways. They
provide us with environments where we can voice out our opinions, share
our ideas, and express our creativity. Social media enables people to explore
cultures, beliefs and ideas that are different from their own, thus fostering
social, cultural, and personal growth.
Mobile Computing
Mobile computing is a technology that allows sending, receiving, and
processing of information wherever the users may be. With mobile
computing, computers are not required to be in a fixed position in order to
work and connect to the internet.
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The 21st Century
Mobile computing requires portable computers or mobile devices such as

smartphones, laptops and tablet computers and wireless Internet
connection. Today, the prices of mobile devices are getting cheaper and the
range of wireless internet networks are getting bigger.
Mobile computing makes life easier by providing solutions to a lot of things
that people usually struggle with. For example, GPS-aided navigation makes
it easier for people to find places. Online shopping makes commerce more
convenient. Mobile-based transportation services like Uber makes it easier to
travel. Of course, search engine websites like Google and Yahoo makes helps
people find information that they need.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a concept based on the Cloud. The Cloud is a network of
servers that work together to provide Internet-based services to users. It is
called the Cloud because the information and services that the users require
are not stored in a single location. They are spread out in multiple servers
located in different places.
For example, when you make a Google search, the results that are displayed
in your screen are from different servers. All the information that you see are
collected by Google and delivered to you. That group of servers is the Cloud.
Cloud based services are revolutionizing the way people work and learn. For
example, an office worker can save work related information in the Cloud
and access them at home or on vacation. Same thing goes for students. Cloud-
based services allow students to take lessons and view course materials at
home, just like what you’re doing right now.
21st Century Challenges

In the past, people looked forward to the 21 st Century as a shining beacon of
change and progress for humanity. In a lot of cases, our expectations came
true. The 21st century did bring with it a lot of new things that changed our
life for the better. What people did not look forward to, however, are the
challenges that we are faced with now. These challenges stem from different
sources. Some of them are the result of humanity’s shortcomings in the past.
Some of them come from our continued failure to act. Regardless of the
cause, it is important to first identify and acknowledge the existence of these
challenges before we can face them.
James Martin, a Pulitzer-nominated British Information Technology
Consultant and author specified 16 megaproblems that we have to face in the
next hundred years. These megaproblems are multinational and can
potentially affect the majority of the planet’s population. These are:
1. Global warming
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Global warming is probably the biggest environmental issue in
modern times. It is a scientific fact that sea levels are rising and the
earth’s surface is getting hotter.
2. Excessive population growth

Further increase in human population will result in a bigger demand
for resources which can cause numerous problems
3. Water shortages
The most important resource of all, a shortage in water can mean
chaos
4. Destruction of life in the oceans

The oceans provide food and livelihood to millions of people.
Destruction of marine life due to human actions can have catasthropic
consequences
5. Mass famine in ill organized countries

Agricultural and economic mismanagement in developing countries
can ultimately lead to massive loos of life due to famine.
6. The spread of deserts

Another result of climate change, the spread of deserts or
desertification threatens to wipe out farmlands which can cripple
food supply of nations.
7. Pandemics
Even with countless medical breakthroughs, pandemic diseases are
still a threat especially in parts of the world where the majority of the
population has little or no access to proper medical care and health
education
8. Extreme poverty
Billions of people do not have access to resources and opportunities
such as education, livelihood and health care.
9. Growth of shanty cities

Because of overpopulation and unequal economic development,
people tend to settle in big cities. This leads to the formation of
shantytowns where problems like crime, disease, and malnutrition
are common.
10. Unstoppable global migration

Poverty and conflicts drive people away from their homelands and
into developed countries
11. Non-state actors with extreme weapons

Unlike the 20th centuries where only nation-states have the capability
to make war, the 21st century saw the rise of several hostile non-state
entities. One major example is the terrorist attack on the United States
in September 11 2001.
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The 21st Century
12. Violent religious extremism

Throughout history, religious extremism has always been the cause of
horrible atrocities. The 21st century has its fair share of religious
extremists who are willing to kill and die to defend their beliefs.
13. Runaway computer intelligence

Problems due to computers becoming more intelligent may also arise
14. War that could end civilization

If a major war breaks out, weapons of mass destruction such as
nuclear missiles, chemical weapons, and weaponized diseases can be
used against the civilian population.
15. Risk to Homo Sapiens’ Existence

All these issues threaten the survival of our species.
16. A New Dark Age

Other than extinction, these mega problems may lead to the collapse
of civilization which will lead to a new Dark Age in human history.
Reference:
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References
RBS Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21 st Century
First Edition
Author: Gladys P. Mangiduyos
Links: http://www.jamesmartin.com/book/megaproblems.cfm
http://climate.nasa.gov/
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Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
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The 21st Century Learner
Skills for the 21st Century Challenges
In the previous chapter, we learned about the technologies and

characteristics that define the 21 st century. Now that you have a clear idea of
what the 21st century is, it’s time to learn the skills that you will need to
survive and thrive in it.
Technological fluency
Technological fluency is one of the most important set of skills that a modern
student needs to have. This includes individual skills and knowledge such as
the ability to operate computers and mobile devices, familiarity with popular
software, and knowing one’s way around the World Wide Web.
However, technological fluency alone is not enough to succeed. In the
Handbook of Emerging Technologies for Learning, (cited in the book RBS
Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21 st Century) the authors
Siemens and Tittenberger, gave a list of “new literacies”. Or additional skills
that learners need to have besides “technological fluency”. They are:
1. Anchoring:
“Staying focused on important tasks while undergoing a deluge of distractions.”
The same technologies that give us access to useful information and services
can also be a source of distractions. The computer that you use to do your
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homework can also be used to play games. Even your smart phone, which is
almost always within reach, can be used for countless leisure activities like
watching videos, listening to music, and chatting with friends. It is important
to stay on track and not let these distractions get in the way of important
matters.
2. Filtering
“Managing knowledge flow and extracting important elements”
The Internet, especially social media provides people with a steady stream of
new information but not all this information are useful. Knowing how to
determine the value of information that we encounter is an essential skill for
the 21st century learner. It keeps us from wasting time and ultimately allows
for a higher quality of knowledge
3. Connecting with each other

“Building networks in order to continue to stay current and informed.”
Besides providing companionship and a sense of belonging, our social
interactions and personal relationships help us keep track of what’s going on
with the world around us.
4. Being human together
“Interacting at a human, not only utilitarian, level…to form social spaces.”
Despite the fast pace of modern living, it is still important to have meaningful
and fulfilling connections with people both in real life or online. Human
interaction should be still be done for its own sake and not just because it is
useful.
5. Creating and deriving meaning

“Understanding implications, comprehending meaning and impact.”
Knowledge is not always plainly written in pages or said out loud. We have to
learn how to read between the lines and understand the true essence of what
we read, hear, or watch.
6. Evaluation and authentication

“Determining the value of knowledge…and ensuring authenticity”
It is said that false knowledge is worse than ignorance. Because there is no
universal governing body that ensures the quality and validity of the
information found on the internet, it is up to the 21 st century learner to
examine each peace of information and to decide whether or not to trust it.
7. Altered processes of validation

“Validating people and ideas within an appropriate context.”
Each person, each event, and each piece of information that we encounter
have their own background stories. Knowing the context or the
circumstances behind each person and idea helps us to better understand
them.
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8. Critical and creative thinking

“Questioning and dreaming”
It’s not enough to just understand ideas. Ideas also have to be examined and
questioned. It is ok to doubt new information. Reality can survive doubt and
criticism. It is also a good practice to play around with ideas. Taking an
established idea and stretching it with your imagination allows you to see
new possibilities.
9. Pattern recognition
“Recognizing patterns and trends.”
Most of the time, there is an underlying pattern in everyday events. What
looks like an insignificant incident may be a part of a grand scheme.
Recognizing these patterns or trends helps us gain a better understanding of
the world around us.
10. Navigate knowledge landscape

“Navigating between repositories, people, technology, and ideas while
achieving intended purposes.”
The collections and connections of all the information around us, whether
online or physical, is said to form a landscape. And just like a real landscape,
it is possible to get lost in it. Knowing your way around the knowledge
landscape can mean the difference between success and failure. Those who
can navigate the knowledge landscape can easily find what they are looking
for while those who cannot are in danger of entering dead ends and hitting
walls.
11. Acceptance of uncertainty

“Balancing what is known with the unknown…to see how existing knowledge
relates to what we do not know.”
All the breakthroughs of the Information Age do not change the fact that
there are still things that humanity still does not understand. Accepting the
fact that you do not know everything is the correct mindset for learning
because learning itself is a quest for the unknown.
12. Contextualizing (understanding context games)

“Understanding the prominence of context…seeing continuums… ensuring key
contextual issues are not overlooked in context-games.”
Sometimes, understanding individual context is not enough. Context can also
be derived by comparing and contrasting people, events, or ideas with
others. At the same time, some things may make more sense when
contextualized as a whole. It is important to view things from different points
of view before coming up with a decision.
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Formula for 21st Century Learning
In the book 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Time (cited in RBS
Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21 st Century) the authors
Trilling and Fadel presented this formula that describes the combination of
skills that 21st century learners need to have:
3Rs × 7Cs = 21st Century Learning
This formula basically means that the 3R skills (Reading, ‘Riting, and
‘Rithmetic) are no longer enough for 21st century education. Along with these
three basic skills, learners also need to have the 7C’s. The 7C’s are a
condensed and rearranged version of the P21 framework, which was created
by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (http://www.p21.org/our-
work/p21-framework)
The 7C’s are:
1. Critical thinking and problem solving

Because of the vast amounts of information available to the 21 st century
learner, critical thinking is necessary to determine the value and correctness
of information that they encounter. Besides understanding explicit and
implied ideas, it is also important to question these ideas and to even try to
disprove them. This way, the learners will be left with tried, tested, and
trustworthy information.
Furthermore, today’s learners encounter new facts and concepts which in a
rapid and constant pace. Because of this, they need problem solving skills to
help them deal with unfamiliar situations and problems which may not have
been discussed in the classroom.
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2. Creativity and innovation

Sometimes, the commonly accepted ways of thinking and widely used
methods are not enough. 21st century learners should also be allowed to
employ unconventional methods and unstructured ways of thinking
especially when tasked to come up with new ideas. Also, students should be
encouraged to innovate or improve existing ideas to come up with better
ones.
3. Collaboration, teamwork, and leadership

Working with others is a necessity in the modern workplace. Modern
technology now allows professionals to work with colleagues located in
different parts of the world without leaving their homes. It is therefore
necessary to teach the 21st century learner about the team environment and
how to effectively work with a team whether as a leader or a member.
4. Cross-cultural understanding
Multi-cultural collaborations are increasingly becoming the norm in the 21 st
century. 21st century learners need to assimilate themselves in such
culturally-diverse environments. This includes understanding and
acceptance of different cultures, knowing how to act properly when dealing
with people from different backgrounds and be open minded to new and
even seemingly strange ideas.
5. Communications, information, and media literacy

The ability to properly communicate using modern technologies opens doors
to new opportunities in today’s IT-driven society.
Familiarity with the very nature of information is another essential skillset.
Besides the technical know-how, learners should also understand how
information is transferred from person to person, how it is processed or
manipulated as it is transferred, and ultimately, how it gets to the end user in
its final form. This also includes an understanding of the laws and ethical
guidelines that govern the use of information.
Media literacy is the understanding of the workings of different types of
media as well as how they are perceived by the public.
6. Computing and ICT literacy

Computing and ICT literacy includes the ability to use computers and other
digital devices as well as the understanding of ICT concepts. The 21 st century
learner should have at least basic computing and ICT literacy in order to
properly learn in a modern classroom where ICT is being used as an
educational tool in many subjects.
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7. Career and learning self-reliance
Today’s rapidly changing information landscape requires students and
professionals to quickly adapt to new technologies and concepts.
The technical skills that the students will learn in school will eventually
become obsolete and they will have to educate themselves about the latest
technologies and concepts in order to maintain a competitive edge. Because
of this, the 21st century learner should learn how to be self reliant. This
includes knowing how to effectively manage time, resources, and effort. They
also need to learn how to set realistic long term and short term goals.
References
Reference:
RBS
Trends,
Networks,
and Critical
Thinking in
the 21st
Century
First
Edition
Author:
Gladys P.
Mangiduyo
s
2
1
s
C
e
n
t
u
r
y
Skills Learning for Life in Our Time Authors:
1
Bernie Trilling & Charles Fadel
Links: http://www.p21.org/our-work/p21-framework
Culture Trends
Trends
What is a
trend?
What is a trend? Before we go into the details, let’s do a little experiment.
Take a look at the group of numbers below:
Can you tell what number should come before 32? You probably
answered 64 and you are correct. That was quite easy. Now ask yourself,
how did you come up with the answer? Did you take a quick look at the
numbers in the series and realize that each one is twice the value of the
one before it? If so, you just observed a trend and predicted its outcome.
If you're starting to realize that a trend is a pattern, then you are partially
correct. A trend’s dictionary definition, according to Merriam-Webster is
“a general direction of change: a way of behaving, proceeding, etc. that is
developing and becoming more common”.
So yes, a trend is some sort of pattern. More specifically, trend is a
pattern of change. The puzzle that you just solved is a simple example.
The numbers were changing but they were doing so towards a general
direction. No numbers were the same but by observing the the way each
of them changed in relation to one another, you were able to recognize a
shifting pattern which is very likely to repeat itself.
That’s what a trend is. A trend is any event or behaviour that occurs and
changes in a regular manner and is very likely to continue. A trend can
happen in a small or large scale. It can happen to only one person or it
can affect everyone in the planet.
For example, if you have a new hobby and you practice it regularly, you
are starting an observable trend in your personal behaviour. Like if you
regularly practice playing the guitar, the average amount of time that you
spend on it can define a trend. For example, if you practice for an average
of 1 hour every day for the past year, but you’ve been spending a few
minutes more on it in the past few months, then there is a rising trend of
you spending more time with your hobby.
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Hours Spent Playing the Guitar
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6 Hours spent
0.4
0.2
0
The same goes for huge trends. The collective behaviour of a group of people
or a repeating occurance of an event that affects a lot of people can
determine the rise and fall of trends. For example, the number of people in
the entire planet that own smartphones is a closely observed trend because it
can have important effects in the economy and society in general.
Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-
users-worldwide/
According to this bar graph provided by statista.com, the number of
smartphone users has been steadily rising from 2014 up to the present.
Based on this trend, it can be predicted that the number of people that own
smartphones will continue to increase.
Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture
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Trends
This is a chart from NASA showing atmospheric Carbon Dioxide levels in

recent years. If they took just one test, then they will only have data that
represents that one particular time but by taking multiple measurements in
different times and comparing them to each other, they found out that the
levels of CO2 in the athmoshere is steadily rising. At this rate, it is safe to
assume that it will continue to rise unless a major factor appears and affects
it.
Why are trends important?

Now that we have a good idea of what a trend is, the next question that
comes to mind is why is it important to know about trends? Trends come and
go. So why do you need to learn about them? Here are some reasons:
1. It gives a better understanding of the world around us

A lot of the questions that we have about the world around us can be
answered by observing trends. Furthermore, it helps to understand the
trends that have a direct effect on our daily lives. Think of the things that you
need in your every day life; food, clothing, shelter, human interaction,
entertainment, money, etc. If you take a closer look at each of these, you will
definitely find trends and an even closer examination can reveal how these
trends affect you.
2. It helps build better social interactions
Knowing what trends are being followed by the people around us helps us to
better deal with them. For example, about a decade ago, back when texting
was the preferred method of communication, many people, especially
teenagers used a heavily stylized shorthand typing method known as
jejemon. (This won’t be in the quiz, btw.) Back then, knowing how to read this
type of writing was almost essential in communicating with others.
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3. It opens doors to new opportunities
Whatever field you’re in, whether it’s IT, business, art, food, etc, being up-to-
date with the latest trends gives you a competitive edge. For example, the
financial sector spends a lot of time, effort, and money observing, recording,
and analyzing economic trends. This is because keeping up with these trends
can mean the difference between profit and financial ruin.
4. It shows new and better ways to do things
Trends are all about change and many trends revolutionize the way we do
things. For example, the ongoing trend involving social media gives us new
ways to get in touch with people, even those who are in different parts of the
world. Instead of writing letters and making expensive long distance phone
calls, now we can just send a quick chat message or even talk face to face
using Skype.
5. It helps predict the future
Because a trend is an observable pattern, it can be used to predict future
events. Take the examples that were discussed earlier. The smartphone
ownership diagram and the NASA athmospheric CO2 chart are records of
actual trends that have important effects in people’s lives. Experts closely
monitor these trends to help them predict their outcomes. Observing the
trends that affect our lives can help us make important decisions about the
future.
How to spot a trend

Spotting a trend is not always as easy as predicting the next number in a
series like what we did at the beginning of this chapter. Trends are not
always obvious, especially in a large scale. What appear to be random
occurrences can be parts of a trend.
Trend Analysis
According to Sanders, Soper, and Rothwell, trend analysis is “The
examination of these phenomena (trends) and speculation on the likely
impact they will have in the future.”
Trend analysis is the practice of collecting data with the goal of finding a
pattern or a trend. Many different fields use trend analysis such as statistics,
finance, advertising, and history.
Characteristics of a trend
Before we can spot a trend, we have to know what to look for. The following
are three common characteristics shared by trends according to Cornish
(2004) and Canton (2006):
1. Trends are a complete synthesis of information from a wide variety
of fields.
2. All trends use pattern identification and recognition to
make predictions when talking about the future.
3. Trends use time frames to evaluate their evolution.
Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture
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Trends
dule
Trend Vs Fad
Course
How to spot a trend media in the past and present, you can then analyse these data in order to
The following are the predict the trends future behaviour.
simplest steps that you can
take to spot a trend:
1. Observe the present The term “trend” gets used a lot these days. A piece of clothing is said to be
“trendy” if it is immensely popular. A person is called a “trendsetter” if his or
First, you need to
her fashion sense gets imitated by the masses. In social media, the term
take a close look at
“trending” can be used to describe anything that is getting a lot of attention.
what is currently
However, “trend” may not be the best term to describe popularity. In most
happening. Are
cases, “fad” is the more proper term to use.
people acting a
certain way? Is an A fad is anything that is extremely popular for a short period of time then
event happening eventually disappears almost entirely. The best way to identify a fad is it is
more often? For short-lived. Here are some examples of fads through the years:
example, you may
have observed that
a lot of people are 1. The Tamagotchi is one of the most popular children’s toys back in
into social media the mid-90’s
and you want to
know if this trend is
rising or falling.
2. Study the past
After you’ve
established the
existence of a
recent pattern, you Source: commons.wikimedia.org
should now
examine historical
data to better
understand it. In
the case of social
media, you can do
some research to
determine how
popular it was in
the past few years.
3. Connect the dots
After you’ve made
observations and
gathered facts, it’s
now time to
analyze all the
information that
you have in order
to come up with a
conclusion. For
example, once you
have collected
sufficient data
regarding the
popularity of social
2. The colorful tie-die shirt was popular during the 60’s and early 70’s.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
3. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern delicacy that became an extremely
popular snack in the Philippines during the late 1980’s up to the early
90’s
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
4. Launched in the Philippines in August, Pokemon Go is one of the

biggest fads of 2016.
Trends, on the other hand tend to stay for longer periods of time. Fads only
last for a few months while trends can last for years. Another difference is
that trends have a wider impact on society while fads tend to be superficial in
nature. More specifically, a trend can mean a new of thinking, a new direction
in technology, a major shift in culture while a fad is something cool and
popular.
Trends, Networks, and Critical
Thinking in the 21st Century Culture 7
Trends Course
Module
Fads within Trends

While there is a big difference between a fad and a
trend, the two are often connected. A fad can be an
indicator of the rise, fall, or continuation of a trend.
Several fads can be a part of an ongoing trend. Here
are some examples:
[Type Subject / Course title
here]
Trend Fad
Barriers to Critical
Social Media Thinking
Outfit of the day (OOTD) Duck
face
Throwback Thursday
Digital Music Limewire (music download) Ipod

Spotify
Hipster Movement Man bun (hairstyle)

Beards
Plaid shirts
1
Barriers to Critical Thinking
In the previous module, you were introduced to Critical Thinking. You also learned
about concepts or tools that can help you create your own critical thinking method
and finally, we discussed several benefits of critical thinking.
For this module, you will learn about the hindrances or barriers to critical thinking.
These barriers are habits, practices, and personality traits that prevent us from
seeing things in a fair and rational way, thus preventing us from thinking critically.
Bias
First, you need to know about bias. Bias is a tendency to favour one thing over
another. Most of the barriers that we will discuss in this module create bias or
influence us to have irrational opinions about certain things.
Personal Barriers
Egocentrism
As the name implies, egocentrism is the mindset in which one considers himself or
herself to be the center of everything. An egocentric mentality gives utmost
importance to one’s personal beliefs, emotions, and welfare. Moreover,
egocentrism can cause an individual to see and judge the world around him from a
biased personal point of view. The following are some of the traits and actions that
have links to egocentrism.
a. Self-righteousness is the belief of having higher or better moral standards
than other people. It provides a false sense of superiority over others. Self
righteous people tend to take the moral high ground or morally correct
position in issues in order to maintain a sense of moral superiority.
Self-righteousness can prevent us from being open-minded and

considerate towards others’ beliefs and ideas because those beliefs and
ideas are considered inferior.
b. Hypocrisy is the act of claiming to have certain moral standards and beliefs
while displaying behaviours and actions that prove otherwise. Basically,
hypocrisy is doing something while claiming to believe in the opposite. For
example, a person claims to care a lot about the environment but is known
to throw garbage in the streets.
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c. Saving face can be defined as trying to save one’s reputation after
making a mistake or trying to prevent others from noticing that a
mistake has been made. An example of saving face is denying to
have said something after being proven wrong.
It is a bad habit to save face instead of admitting a mistake. First of all,

if you save face, you are being dishonest to others but more
importantly, you are being dishonest to yourself, which can prevent
you from recognizing your mistakes and correcting them.
Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is the tendency to react negatively to new ideas without
giving fair consideration. For example, a technophobe is someone who
dislikes and avoids new technologies like computers, smartphones, and the
Internet.
Resistance to change can be caused by different factors including intellectual
laziness or the unwillingness to engage in intellectually challenging tasks
such as analyzing new concepts.
Another probable reason is cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the
discomfort that is felt when faced with a new beliefs or ideas that contradict
pre-existing ones. For example, if a person has always disliked pop music but
hears a new pop song that appeals to him, he feels stress or discomfort
because a long-held belief is being challenged. Cognitive dissonance can be a
good thing because it can force us to re-evaluate our beliefs or values that
may be flawed and come up with better ones.
However, cognitive dissonance can also be a barrier to critical thinking if we
just go back to our comfort zone because we can’t handle the stress or
discomfort. The comfort zone is the mental state where we feel secure and in
control. Some call it their “happy place” or the state of mind without any
negativity.
Prejudice and Stereotype
Prejudice is an opinion about a person, thing, or subject that is not based on
critical thinking. Prejudices are usually negative opinions that cause us to
discriminate against people with different nationalities, races, religions,
genders, etc. For example, some people have negative opinions against
homosexuals because of their gender preference.
It’s easy to see why prejudice is a barrier to critical thinking. Prejudices are
almost always unfair and irrational. Making decisions based on prejudices is
always a bad idea because it keeps us from seeing the reality of the situation.
A stereotype is a generalized description given to members of a particular
group. Stereotypes disregard people’s individual traits and picture them
based on the group that they belong in. Some stereotypes can be positive. For
example, in western cultures, there’s a stereotype that Asians are all good at
math. Some stereotypes are negative like the unfair assumption that people
with tattoos are criminals.
3
Emotion
Emotions are a part of being human. They are a big factor in our decision
making. It’s normal to favour things that make us happy and avoid things that
make us sad or scared. However, if we look at things at a critical thinking
point of view, emotions are not always a good thing.
Strong emotions can cloud our judgement. Emotions, especially strong ones
create biases which can make us jump to conclusions or make brash
decisions before we have the chance to look at matters rationally.
Of course, it is impossible to just turn off emotions. However, it is possible to
keep emotions in check. More importantly, it is possible to be honest with
ourselves and admit that we are being emotional at a particular moment.
This will enable us to postpone important decisions or conclusions and to
revisit them at a time when our emotions have subsided.
Social Barriers
Social Conditioning
The following is a modern fable:
Scientists conducted an experiment involving monkeys. Five monkeys were kept
in a cage with a step ladder in the middle. On the ceiling above the ladder
hangs a banana. Whenever a monkey climbs the ladder to get the banana,
sprinklers were turned on, soaking the other monkeys with cold water. Because
of this, any monkey who tries to climb the stairs gets beaten up by the other
monkeys. This went on until none of the monkeys ever attempt to climb the
stairs. The scientists then replaced one of the monkeys. Upon seeing the
banana, the new monkey tried to climb the ladder and was subsequently
beaten up by the other monkeys. This went on until the new monkey learned
that climbing the ladder will result to a beating. The scientists then replaced
another monkey and when it tried to climb the ladder, it was also beaten up by
the rest of the monkeys including the replacement monkey that came before it.
This went on until all of the original five monkeys have been replaced, leaving
five new monkeys who never experienced being soaked with cold water but still
beat up anyone who tries to climb the ladder. If you can ask the monkeys why
they do it, they would probably answer:
“I dunno. That’s just how things are done here.”
That story is a perfect example of social conditioning. Social conditioning is a
process in which individuals are trained to act in a manner that is deemed
proper by society that they belong in. Keep in mind that “training” does not
mean formal training. It is a collection of acts or experiences that enables
individuals to learn cultural norms such as values, traditions and
superstitions.
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For example, in the Filipino culture, men are expected to have short hair and
women are expected to have long hair. It is not mandatory but the majority of
the population follows this norm because they were conditioned to do so.
While social conditioning may be essential in the survival of culture and
maintaining social order, in some cases, it can become a barrier to critical
thinking. This is mostly because people tend to follow norms without
question and without subjecting them to critical thought. Individuals who act
out of social conditioning can become blind to flaws that these norms may
have.
For example, slavery is a cruel and inhumane practice that is outlawed in
modern culture but used to be the norm in many civilizations. In the past,
people were socially conditioned to believe that it’s ok to buy, sell, and keep
people as slaves. It may be obvious now that slavery is cruel and inhumane
but in the past, social conditioning prevented people from realizing it.
Social Conformity
While social conditioning is something that we are subjected to by others,
conformity is something that we do willingly. Watch this Youtube video
to get a better idea:
https://youtu.be/MDD4IkVZWTM
While the video was made for entertainment purposes, it clearly

demonstrates the effect of peer pressure or social pressure to individuals.
Social conformity is the act of following the standards that we observe in
groups that we belong to. Social conformity is more commonly known as
“going with the flow” or “following the crowd.”
Conformity can be helpful. If you just moved in to a new school, one of the
first things that you would do is to observe the actions of the other students,
particularly those who have been around longer than you have in order to
know which things are ok and which are not. In this case, social conformity
helps us adapt to a new environment and helps us establish a healthy social
life.
However, just like social conditioning, conformity can sometimes cloud our
judgement and prevent us from thinking critically. Conforming to social
standards and following fads without carefully considering its possible
outcomes can lead to bad decisions.
Here’s an example: If a new smartphone comes out and all of your friends has
one, you would want to have one for yourself. If you let social conformity
guide your decision making, you would get the phone no matter what. But if
you stop to think about it in a rational and critical manner, you may realize
that the new phone’s features are not that much different than the one that
you have right now and the new features aren’t really worth the cost of a new
phone.
5
Sociocentrism and Ethnocentrism

Sociocentrism is a mindset or a point of view in which an individual judges
the rest of the world based on the rules and values of his or her own social
group. Ethnocentrism is pretty much the same thing except it is focused on
one’s ethnic group.
In many cases, sociocentric and ethnocentric thought does not conform to
critical thinking or logic. A sociocentric or ethnocentric person may readily
dismiss foreign ideas and practices as wrong or inferior because he or she is
judging it from the perspective of his or her own group.
For example, in some cultures, it is normal to cook and eat certain types of
insects. A person from a western or westernized culture may see this as
disgusting because it is not a normal practice in his or her own cultural or
ethnic group. However, when critical thinking is applied to the matter, an
outsider may realize that when prepared properly, insects can be as safe to
eat as beef or pork or poultry.
Authority
Authority figures have a huge influence in an individual’s values and beliefs.
As children we look to our parents as role models for morality. As adults,
sometimes, we seek expert advice when making important decisions. It is
normal for a person to see someone with more knowledge and experience as
a role model.
Most of the time, this is a good practice. We learn many important skills and
ideas from authority figures like our parents, teachers, and elders in our
community. Society relies on authority figures for leadership and guidance.
For this reason, most groups have a leader or a central figure.
On the other hand, blind loyalty and excessive admiration for a person of
authority can become a personality cult. In a personality cult, people obey
and believe their leaders without question. A leader’s words are considered
as the absolute truth and his or her actions become the moral standard.
Personality cults in government often lead to dictatorships in which the
common people lose the right and the privilege of independent thought; with
all beliefs and ideas contradicting those of the authorities’ are abandoned.
The halo effect is a type of bias in which our general impression of a person,
especially a celebrity, irrationally affects our opinion of that person’s specific
qualities. If a person is well known for a particular trait or talent, like beauty
or singing, people tend to assume that that he or she is also good in other
fields.
Here’s an example, a well known celebrity like an actor or an athlete runs for
public office and wins because the people’s admiration for him or her as an
athlete or an actor was carried over to this new endeavour, which is politics.
If we think about it critically, we may question this person’s qualifications
but halo effect prevented that. Admiration got in the way of critical thinking.
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Halo effect is evident in advertising where celebrities use their popularity to
convince people to buy products. Because people admire them, they assume
that these celebrities are right about the products that they are endorsing.
Superstition
A superstition is a belief or a practice that is based on the supernatural. Every
culture in the world has superstitions and most of they can be traced to a
time when people did not have proper understanding of science and the
natural world. Our ancestors filled these gaps in their knowledge with
supernatural explanations. For example, ancient people used to think that
lightning and thunder are created by gods such as Zeus and Thor. People also
used to believe that diseases, especially epidemics were created by gods to
punish them.
Eventually, through science, people were able to prove that lightning forms
when atmospheric temperature causes the creation of electrical charges in
clouds and that diseases have different causes such as bacteria, viruses,
genetics, etc. However, many cultures still retain these supernatural beliefs
even though they no longer match the most credible information available to
us.
For example, luck is superstitious belief that people use to make sense of
random occurrences. Luck has no basis in science unlike gravity or friction
but a lot of people still take it in consideration when making decisions. It can
be dangerous because it can make people take risks that would otherwise be
deemed irrational.
There are superstitious beliefs that directly cause harm. For example, certain
animals such as different species of rhinoceros are being hunted down to
extinction because their horns are believed to have healing abilities; a belief
Logical which has no basis in actual medical science.
Fallacies
In Logic and Philosophy, an argument is a statement or series of statements

in which reasons or premises are given to support a claim or a conclusion. An
argument does not mean a heated vocal confrontation between two or more
people.
A logical fallacy is an error in an argument. It is faulty reasoning that is used
to prove a point. Familiarity with logical fallacies is a good critical thinking
tool obviously because it can help us determine if an argument or line of
reasoning is right or wrong. There are many types of logical fallacies and we
can’t discuss them all in just one chapter so here are 10 common logical
fallacies that you may encounter in real life:
a. Ad hominem is a fallacy that is used to counter an argument by

questioning the person who made the argument instead of the
argument itself.
Example: You’re against the new Sin Tax laws because you’re an
alcoholic.
7
b. Gambler’s Fallacy is the incorrect assumption that because

something is happening frequently in the past, it will happen again in
the future. It is important to note that the gambler’s fallacy is different
from analysing trends. Trends can be examined and proven while the
gambler’s fallacy assumes that random things are parts of a trend
without subjecting them to analysis or critical thinking.
Example: You should bet on an even number because the last

three winning numbers were all even.
c. False Dilemma or False Dichotomy is a fallacy in which only a

limited number of choices are presented without considering others
that may exist. It is also known as “black and white” mentality or
“You’re either with me or against me”.
Example: If you don’t support [Politician A] then you obviously work

for [Politician B]
d. Hasty Generalization – As the name implies, it happens when a

conclusion or generalization is made without considering all the
variables.
Example: Japanese people are all kind because I’ve met three Japanese
people and they were so nice to me.
e. Straw Man is a fallacy in which one distorts or exaggerates an

opposing argument.
Example:
Person A: I think we should stop watching and sharing ISIS videos

because we’re just making them more popular.
Person B: So the cops should arrest anyone who watches these

videos because they are aiding and abetting terrorists.
f. Circular Argument is a fallacy in which the conclusion of the

argument is also used as the premise. Basically, a circular argument
goes like this “A is true because A is true”
Examples:
Person A is right because he always says that he is right.
UFO sightings are real because many people have seen UFO’s.
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g. False Analogy is a fallacy in which one tries to prove a point by
comparing it to something that may look similar but is not
really logically connected.
Examples:
If you’re a meat-eater then you might as well eat people because
they are also made of meat.
People who need to drink coffee before they start their day are just like
alcoholics.
h. Non Sequitur is a fallacy in which the conclusion does not follow the
premise. The reasons given to support a claim may look like they
make sense but close examination would reveal that they do not.
Examples:
People love the smell of garlic in their food so we should make

garlic- scented perfumes.
Formaldehyde is used to embalm dead people so it should not be used as

an ingredient in shampoo. (Note: Formaldehyde may really be bad for
the health but using the fact that it is used for embalming is not a
concrete argument against it.)
i. Post Hoc fallacy falsely assumes that something that happened before
an event is the cause of that event.
Example:
Our team always wins when I wear my pink socks. My pink socks are
the reason why we win.
j. Slippery slope fallacy is the assumption that if an event occurs, other

events, which are not logically connected, will inevitably follow.
Example:
If the government legalizes marijuana, soon they will also legalize
heroin and cocaine.
1
Introduction to Network Science
This chapter is a crash course on networks. What is a network? What makes

up a network? How does a network work?
You probably know many different kinds of networks, such as computer

networks, TV networks, telephone networks, and networking scams. So right
now, you may be asking, “What type of network are we going to talk about?”
You’ll be surprised to know that the answer is all of them. What you are going
to learn in this module, and a couple of other modules after this, can be
applied to virtually every kind of network. How is that possible? The answer
is simple―through Network Science.
What is a Network
But before we explore Network Science, first, we need define the term
network. A network is a group of entities that are connected to each other. An
individual entity in a network is called a node and the connection between
nodes a link.
Course
In mathematical terms, a network is called a graph, node is referred to as a
vertex (plural vertices), and links are called edges. These terms can be used
interchangeably so don’t be confused when you encounter them. For this
course, however, we’ll stick to the terms network, node, and link.
Networks are all around us and they are more common than you think. The
human body is made up of several systems, including the circulatory system
and the nervous system, making it a network. The Internet, as you probably
know, is one big network.
Practically every connection between multiple entities is a network. You are
a node in several networks without you even knowing it. Your family is a
network with links that can be traced back hundreds of years. What you call
your “circle of friends” is actually a network of friends and you are one of the
nodes.
What is Network Science?

As the name implies, Network Science is the study of networks, specifically
complex networks.
A Brief History of Network Science

For hundreds of year, scholars from different fields such as sociology,
biology, and mathematics have studied different kinds of networks.
However, network science as a field of study emerged only at the beginning
of the 21st century. During this time, the study of networks grew into a formal
discipline instead of being just a part of other fields. The main factor that
caused the emergence of network science is the Internet. Here is why:
Before a network can be properly studied, first, it needs to be mapped. A
network map is basically a record of the nodes and links that form a network.
Obviously, the bigger the network is, the more data that need to be mapped.
The technologies of the past centuries simply were not enough to accomplish
this task.
The Digital Revolution (discussed in Module 1) made it possible for vast
amounts of information to be recorded, stored, shared, and analyzed. This
has enabled scholars from various fields to map different kinds of network.
Today, government agencies and private organizations are capable of
mapping networks with billions of nodes and links.
For example: The World Health Organization maintains a data repository
called the Global Health Observatory (GHO) which contains vital information
gathered from 194 member states. (link:
http://www.who.int/gho/database/en/)
Before Network Science became a discipline, networks were viewed and
studied independently. Eventually, it was discovered that networks of
different kinds share a lot of similar characteristics. One of the main
principles of network science is that there are laws that govern the behavior
of networks.
Example: The Corrupted Blood Incident
Back in 2005, a new mission was introduced in World of Warcraft, a
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). The boss
character in this mission could cast a contagious spell called
“Corrupted Blood” which drains the players’ hitpoints/life. This spell
was only supposed to take effect in a particular area, but a
programming error enabled virtual pets and minions to carry the spell
to other areas of the game.
This error caused the Corrupted Blood spell to behave like an
epidemic, infecting and killing thousands of virtual characters.
Epidemiologists noticed that this virtual epidemic had a lot of
similarities with real-world epidemics. They saw it as an opportunity
to observe how an infected population would behave and how their
behavior can influence the spread of the disease.
3
(Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6951918.stm)
Complex Networks
As mentioned earlier, Network Science is the study of complex networks. But
what is a complex network? In simple terms, a complex network is the name
given to a network that has a structure and behavior that is neither totally
predictable nor completely random.
If you try to imagine a network, you may imagine something that resembles a
tree, a net, or a lattice; something that has a regular shape like this:
A network like this one is predictable. No matter how big it gets, you will see
that it will follow the same pattern. Meanwhile, a complex network looks
like this:
File: Internet map 1024.jpg by the The Opte Project (opte.org)

License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Gen
Course Module
The image shown above is a partial map of the Internet as of January 2005. If
you are familiar with the Internet and you know that websites are not
permanent. They can appear and disappear at any moment. As a complex
network, the Internet has a structure that is constantly changing.
On one hand, some of its behaviours are predictable. For example, it is not
unusual for web traffic to increase at certain times of the year, like Christmas
or an election season. On the other hand, there are also events or behaviours
that seem to happen randomly. In a previous chapter, we talked about fads.
Some fads look like they just appear and disappear out of nowhere.
For example, Pokemon Go was a huge hit last year. There was a big hype
leading to its release and it was insanely popular for a couple of months. But
all of a sudden, it just disappeared. If you take a closer look, it was not
entirely random and there were probably several factors that contributed to
its decline. One of network science’s goal is to find out the explanation
behind seemingly random events within a network.
Types of Network
Because network science is still a young field, a lot of its foundations are still
being laid. There are however, some concepts that are canonical or widely
accepted in this field. The following are three well known and commonly
studied types of network.
Random network
A random network is network that follows a probability distribution in the
number of links that each node can have. In simple terms, there is a limit to
how many and/or how few links a node can have. Take a look at the example
below:
Figure 1
The figure above is an example of a random network. Each node in this
network can only have 1 to 3 links.
A random network is not a complex network. Despite its name, a random
network is predictable because there is a limit to how many links each node
can have.
5
Scale-free Network
A scale-free network is a complex network. Its defining characteristic is that
it has few nodes with a lot of links and lot of nodes with few links. A node
with many links is called a hub.
Figure 2
In this example, you’ll notice that there are two kinds of nodes. On one hand,
the blue nodes are few but they have the most numbers of links per node.
These are called the hubs. The green ones, on the other hand, greatly
outnumber the hubs but only have one or two links each.
This is because scale-free networks follow a power law. Power law is the
statistical relationship between two quantities in which change in one
quantity affects the other. Figure 2 can be represented by the power law
graph below.
Course Module
Figure 3
Let us use Twitter as an example. Users are the nodes and following a user
forms a link. Most users have a few hundred followers each but there are
some users who have millions of followers. These are public figures like
artists, athletes, and politicians.
This disproportion in scale-free networks can be explained by the
preferential attachment process, a process in which those that already have a
lot of a particular thing (e.g. money, fame, and influence) have a bigger
chance of gaining more of it compared to those who donot have a lot to begin
with. For example, a popular business is more likely to attract new
customers than one that is not as popular. In many real world scale-free
networks, preferential attachment can explain extremely uneven distribution
of links between nodes.
Small World Network
A small world network is a network in which most nodes are not directly
linked but any two nodes are connected by short paths. In order to get from
one node to another that is not directly connected to travel between two
unconnected nodes, you have to go through path composed of other
connections. Take the following example:
7
In this example of a small-world network, you can get from one node to
another either via direct link or by going through another node. For example,
Node 3 and Node 7 are not directly linked, but there are two short paths
between them which are via Node 1 and Node 4.
A real world example of a small-world network is the road network. In this
network, the locations are the nodes and roads are the links. Pick a random
place in the map. There is a good chance that there is no road that directly
connects your current location to that place but you can get there by taking
several routes through multiple street, avenues, or highways.
Real-World Applications of Network Science

At this point, you are probably starting to understand why it is important to
study Network Science. To give you a better idea, here are some of the
many fields where network science is proving to be a valuable asset.
Economics
The economy is one big network; businesses and consumers are the nodes
and commercial transactions are the links. Because of this, network science
can be applied in order to gain a better understanding of it.
Big economic entities such as governments, banks, and corporations are the
major hubs in a scale-free network. Now think about how these major hubs
are linked to smaller hubs which are the small businesses and how they, in
turn, are connected to the individual consumers which are the most common
but least connected nodes in this network.
Network Science principles and concepts can help explain many aspects of
the economy. For example, the power law that applies to scale-free networks
can explain why there are very few wealthy people and so many poor people.
Furthermore, preferential attachment can help explain the inequality of
opportunities between the rich and the poor andwhy it is easier to earn a lot
of money if you are already rich.
Sociology
Sociology has been exploring the network properties of societies and human
interaction even before network science was established. Today, the two
fields work hand in hand in explaining and analyzing social behaviour and
predicting social phenomena.
In the next chapter, you will learn about Social Network, an area in Network
Science, which is used to explain why society behaves in certain ways and
to help predict future social behaviours.
Public Health
Epidemiology is the branch of medical science that is concerned with the
study and analysis of the spread of diseases. In this field, populations and
locations are intuitively viewed as networks.
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Network science can be applied in order to understand how diseases spread
in a population. For example, to understand and anticipate the spread of a
highly communicable disease such as Anthrax or SARS, it helps to view the
world as a network where big cities are hubs and routes of human
transportation such as highways, shipping, and air travel are the links. This
model can give epidemiologists insights on how a disease can spread from
one part of the world to another.
Information and Communications Technology
Networks and ICT are inseperable. Even the most basic ICT courses would
have references to networks, in one form or another. A network is involved
in practically any exchange of electronic information. The practical use of
network science in ICT is evident now, during the Information age where the
Internet, a worldwide electronic network connects billions of people, more
than ever.
Sources:
Complex Networks: The Challenge of Interaction Topology by Zoltá n

Toroczkai
http://cnls.lanl.gov/~toro/Zoltan_LASCI.pdf
Network Science by Albert-Lá szló Barabá si,

http://barabasi.com/networksciencebook/
1
The structure and function of
complex networks by M. E. J.
Newman
https://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-
mat/0303516v1.pdf Critical Thinking
Types of Networks: Random, Small-World,

Scale-Free by Nodus Labs
http://noduslabs.com/radar/types-
networks-random-small-world-scale-
free/
Random complex networks by Michael

Small Lvlin Hou, and Linjun Zhang,
http://nsr.oxfordjournals.org/cont
ent/1/3/357.full
Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
Critical Thinking
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”
-Margaret Mead
Thinking is human nature. Sometimes, we think instinctively. That is, we
think without even thinking about it. Sometimes, we make the conscious
decision to think; to reason with others or within ourselves.
Thinking is something that is so basic and so primal that it’s hard to imagine
that it can be improved. It is harder still to question if we are even doing it
properly.
Our ability to learn, to understand, and to decide based on acquired
knowledge has helped mankind survive for hundreds of thousands of years.
However, we have long reached the point in the history of our species where
we can move beyond survival. Humanity is at a point where survival alone
does not account for a full and happy life. We yearn for a deeper
understanding of the world around us. We look for higher forms of
knowledge.
For this purpose, basic reasoning is not enough. In order for us to find the
higher truth of things, we need to think differently. We need to ask questions
that may not have pleasant answers. We even have to question the obvious.
This is where critical thinking comes in. In this chapter, you will be
introduced to critical thinking. You will learn its definition, its defining
characteristics and how it differs from plain thought. You will also learn
about some concepts that can help you think critically.
Please note that this chapter will not directly teach you how to think
critically. Critical thinking is something that everyone does differently. There
is no one universally accepted process for critical thinking. This chapter will,
however, try to equip you with some knowledge that you can use to come up
with your own critical thinking process.
Course Module
What IS Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking’s dictionary definition is “disciplined thinking that is

clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence”
Critical thinking, as defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical

Thinking is “the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating
information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection,
reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”
In simpler terms, critical thinking is a way of thinking that is based on facts

and evidence. This disciplined, rational way of thinking can be used to make
decisions and to create and evaluate beliefs.
What Critical Thinking is NOT
In an article, Reginald Finley provided a list of of what critical thinking is not.
These are things that can be seen as signs of high intelligence and can be
beneficial at times but still do not equate with critical thinking.
Thinking a lot
Thinking a lot sounds like a good thing, right? After all, people say that
practice makes perfect. But thinking a lot does not automatically mean
thinking critically. A person can think about a topic for hours or even days,
but if he is not being rational or if he has biases (which we will discuss in the
next chapter), there is still a good chance that he will come up with incorrect
conclusions. Critical thinking is about HOW you think, not HOW MUCH you
think.
Being open-minded
Make no mistake; open-mindedness is a good trait to have. It allows you to
see and understand things beyond your own personal bubble. However,
open-mindedness alone is not critical thinking. It is an essential element of
critical thinking but it is not the only element. Having a welcoming attitude
3
Critical Thinking
towards new facts and ideas can lead to knowledge but accepting ideas
without questioning and analysis leads to false knowledge.
Being smart
Of course, being smart is good but it does not guarantee that you will always
be right. You may have high IQ, you may even think critically about most
topics but there’s still a very good chance that there is a topic in which you do
not think critically. Critical thinking is a constant process. It is not like a
medal that gets pinned on you once and can be claimed as yours for the rest
of your life. Every topic, every idea, every supposed fact have to be thought
about critically.
Universal Skepticism
Skepticism is defined as an attitude of doubt. While doubt or disbelief can
lead us to think critically, merely doubting everything in sight is not critical
thinking. Expressing doubt about ideas and beliefs, especially those that are
believed by a lot of people may look and sound like critical thinking but it
without informed, rational thought; it really does nothing more than to give a
false impression of edgy intellectual rebellion.
Critical Thinking Tools

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, critical thinking is not a straightforward
process. Critical thinking skills and methods may differ from person to
person and that’s ok. You are not expected to follow a rigid step-by-step
process but rather, you are encouraged to develop your own critical thinking
skills and methods. However here are some concepts and tips to help you get
started. Think of them as tools for critical thinking:
5W1H
“I keep six honest serving-
men They taught me all I
knew;
Their names are What and Why and
When And How and Where and Who.”
- Rudyard Kipling
In order to think critically, first you have to ask questions. Asking the right
questions will help you get proper answers wether you ask them to yourself
or other people. As simple as it sounds, questioning can be daunting task. If
done incorrectly, it may lead to false assumptions and misled conclusions.
Course Module
If you’re having doubts about your questioning skills or if you simply don’t
know how to begin asking questions, the 5 W’s and 1 H is always a good place
to start.
What
What happened? What is it?
Who
Who did it? Whom did it happen to?
Where
Where did it happen? Where does it lead?
When
When did it happen? When will is end?
Why
Why did it happen? Why was it done?
How
How did it happen? How was it done?
The Socratic Method

As the name implies, the Socratic Method is a method that is named after the
Greek philosopher Socrates. It can be defined as a method that aims to
discover a universal truth or at least get as close to the truth as possible.
The Socratic Method is a method of eliminating hypothesis and as such, it

works by exploring all possible definitions or explanations and then trying to
question them until all parties are satisfied with the final answer. The end
goal is to come up with a universal explanation or a definition that is
irrefutable. You can do the Socratic Method by asking one or more persons.
You can even do it by yourself;f by answering your own questions
5
Critical Thinking
Here is the basic flow of the Socratic Method:
1. Ask a question
It begins by asking a question that aims to create a hypothesis.
2. Question the hypothesis

Once a hypothesis has been made, the next goal is to ask questions or give
statements that will test, refute, or challenge the hypothesis.
3. Come up with a new hypothesis

Next, a new hypothesis will be created, taking into account the tests,
refutations, and challenges that were previously made.
Steps 2 and 3 can be repeated for as many times as it takes until one comes
up with a hypothesis or an answer that satisfies all parties.
Here’s an example of an argument that follows the Socratic Method:
“What is a fish?”
“A fish is an animal that swims”
“My dog swims. Is my dog a fish?”
“No. A fish is an animal that swims and lives on
water.” “So a squid is a fish?”
“No, a fish is a vertebrate.”
“A crocodile is a vertebrate that swims and spends most of it’s life on water. Is it
a fish?”
“No. Crocodiles have lungs. Fishes breathe using gills.”
“But there are known species of fish that have lungs. Are they not fish?”
“Fishes are animals that live on water and breathe using gills with exception
of some species that have lungs.”
The final statement can be the one that all parties agree on or it can still be
questioned. It is important to note that even if all the parties quit without
reaching a conclusion that they can all agree on, they still end up with a
better understanding of the topic.
Course
Module
Ignorance
There is also a possibility that the Socratic Method ends with all parties
accepting that they do not know. This is called Socratic Ignorance or the
awareness of the absence of knowledge. It can be summed up as “I know
that I don’t know.”
Plato, another Greek philosopher would classify this as simple ignorance or

the mere lack of knowledge. This differs from double ignorance or the lack of
knowledge coupled with the belief of having knowledge.
An example of simple ignorance is a man who does not know if aliens exist or
not. He may accept that he doesn’t know or he might not know that he
doesn’t know. Bothe cases are simple ignorance.
Double ignorance, of the other hand, is if a man does not factually know if
aliens exist or not but has the delusion or the firm belief that they do.
The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method is a set of techniques used to conduct a systematic and
credible investigation. The scientific fields and critical methods use the same
principles in the sense that they are bothrooted in rational thought and
factual knowledge. Therefore, the scientific method can be an effective tool in
critical thinking. The phases of the scientific method are as follows:
1. Observation
It all starts with an observation of an event. During this phase, important
details should be remembered or better yet, recorded.
2. Question
Most of the time, merely observing an event can raise questions. These
questions will trigger your curiosity and make you want to find an answer.
For the purpose of the scientific method, you must create a question based on
your ebservation. The answer to this question will be the conclusion of the
scientific method.
3. Hypothesis
A hypothesis can be defined as an informed guess. Think of an answer to the
question based on all the evidence that you currently have. The purpose of a
hypothesis is not to give a final answer to your question but to serve as a
guide for the next steps. Remember to make a hypothesis based on
eveidence. Do not let your personal beliefs or preferences influence you.
7
Critical Thinking
4. Experimentation
During this phase, you must conduct experiments in order to prove or
disprove your hypothesis. An experiment is considered valid if its results can
be reproduced by you or by others.
5. Analysis
Once you have gathered enough information through experimentation, you
can then proceed to studying or analyzing this information in order to
come up with a conclusion. Your investigation is considered a success if you
were able to come up with evidence that proves or disproves your
hypothesis.
Importance of Critical Thinking
1. Intellectual independence
Having critical thinking skills makes you more capable to think for yourself.
Critical thinking allows you to analyze facts and events that you encounter
and decide the best course of action without relying on other people such as
the media and authority figures.
2. Self awareness
Critical thinking requires us to look within ourselves. Our own beliefs,
emotions, and values need to be kept in check in order to make sure that
they do not get in the way of rational thought and sound judgement.
3. Humility
In order to think critically, we sometimes have to challenge our own beliefs.
In some cases, we will find long-held beliefs to be incorrect. In order to
change false beliefs, first, we have to admit that they exist, even if it’s just to
ourselves. Critical thinking teaches us that we are not always right; we can be
wrong and we have to be ready to admit our mistakes.
4. Improved worldview
As we previouslty discussed in this chapter, open-mindedness is an
important element of critical thinking. On the other hand, prejudice,
stereotypes, and ethnocentricm (which will be discussed next chapter) are
barriers to critical thinking. In order to think critically, we have to strive to
see the world without bias and to give consideration to other beliefs and
points of view, even those that are opposed to ours.
5. Problem solving
Course Module
Critical thinking skills are good tools in
1
solving real world problems. Most of the
time, the problems that we encounter in
everyday life will be easier to solve if we
look at them rationally, without letting our
emotions take control of the situation.
Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Strategic Thinking
Century
Strategic Thinking
What is Strategic Thinking?

In the previous chapters, we discussed Critical Thinking. While critical
thinking is a great tool for examining new knowledge, sometimes we have
to deal with more specific tasks that require other ways of thinking. For
example, when we set out to accomplish a goal, we have to adopt a
thinking process that is best suited for accomplishing that goal.
Strategic thinking is a mental process that is used to achieve a goal or to
make important decisions. Basically, strategic thinking is a way of mind
that enables the creation of strategies that can be applied towards the
pursuit of a goal.
Strategic thinking is widely used by businesses and other organizations
to help them accomplish tasks and projects. However, strategic thinking
can also be applied on a personal level to achieve personal goals. This
chapter will help you understand what goes into strategic thinking and
how you can apply it in your own endeavours.
Elements of Strategic Thinking

Dr. Jeanne Liedtka, an American professor and strategist, defined
strategic thinking as a way of thinking which is comprised by five
elements.
In order to better understand these elements, we’ll use an example.
Imagine that you have already graduated from high school and you just
started your first year in college. Of course, your goal is to acquire
knowledge that you can use in the future and to graduate so that you can
start your professional
career. Let’s apply strategic thinking. The following are the five elements
of strategic thinking. Let’s see how they fit in your situation.
Course Module
1. Systems Perspective
Before any strategic decisions and actions can be made, first, you need to
have a clear understanding of the system or environment that you are in.
Peter Senge, a systems scientist, defines it as an image of “how the world
works”. To put it simply, you will be able to make better strategies if you
are familiar with the environment or system in which these strategies
will be applied.
In order to gain a systems perspective, you have to learn about the
different parts of the system and their connection with one another.
These parts include perspectives, internal systems and networks (to be
discussed in a future chapter) that make up the system.
Example: College is a system or an environment that is comprised of
many interconnected parts such as the social relationships between
students, the structure of the faculty, the functions of different
departments and organizations, etc. The strategies that you will make in
this system or environment will be based on your knowledge of the
functions and relationships of these parts. Therefore, you need to learn as
much as you can about it.
2. Intent-focused
As mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, strategic thinking is used
to accomplish a goal. A person who is driven by the desire to accomplish
this goal is capable of organizing his thoughts, directing his efforts and
summoning the will power that is needed to succeed.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian psychologist, named this
phenomenon the flow, a term that became widely used and accepted in
the field of psychology. The flow, also known as the zone, is basically a
heightened state of mental concentration that is centered on a particular
goal or intent.
Example: You have probably experienced times when you can
concentrate very well during class, when doing homework or while
studying for an exam. Think back and you will notice that during those
times, you were probably intent driven. You had the strong desire to
accomplish a goal and you were willing to do what it takes accomplish it.
On the other hand, losing sight of your goal can make you lose focus and
to procrastinate.
3. Intelligent Opportunism
“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” – This is a famous saying
in the military. It does not mean that planning is ultimately useless,
though. The widely accepted interpretation is that even well-made plans
need to be revised or adjusted as the current situation requires. It’s not
enough to have an initial strategy. A strategic thinker should also be
3
Strategic Thinking
prepared and able to adapt to new developments and exploit new

opportunities.
Example: During your college years, you will encounter new
opportunities. Many of them will be unexpected. Even if you already have
a good strategy or course of action, you should also be on the lookout for
these opportunities and be ready to grab them.
4. Thinking in Time
Dr. Liedtka said that “Strategic thinking connects past, present, and
future.” This means that a strategic thinker should be mindful of the
interconnection between these three points in time. Thinking in time is
basically applying knowledge of the past to the present in order to assure
success in the future.
When formulating a strategy, you should always take the past into
account; which actions and strategies have worked for you and others
and which have not. This will help you predict the future and to avoid
potential failure.
Example: As you go through college, you will experience little successes
and failures. You wil also learn about the successes and failures of others.
These lessons and experiences will stick with you. You will develop good
practices and you will know how to avoid mistakes. As a result, your
future actions and strategies will be more effective.
5. Hypothesis-driven
In a previous chapter, we discussed how the Scientific Method can be
used as a tool for critical thinking. Strategic thinking, as a process and as
a way of thinking closely resembles the scientific method in the sense
that it also requires the formulation and testing of a hypothesis.
To recap, a hypothesis is an assumption or an informed guess that is
based on gathered information. This is a key component in creating a
strategy. A strategy is practically a course of action that is based on your
understanding of your goal. (see Systems Perspective) This understanding
is very similar, if not completely identical with a hypothesis. When you
execute your strategy, you are also finding out if your understanding or
assumption is correct. In other words, executing a strategy also lets you
test your hypothesis. Intelligence
Course Module
Strategic Thinking Tools
Knowing the definition and elements of strategic thinking does not guarantee
that you will be able to use it effectively in your everyday life. Because
strategic thinking is a way of thinking, it requires practice. You have to get
used to it; to use it over and over again until it becomes your nature.
Also because strategic thinking is a mental process, there are methods and
skills that you can learn and use in order to do it more effectively. Here are
some practices or tools that you can use in order to be a better strategic
thinker.
The S.M.A.R.T. Criteria

Watch this video: https://youtu.be/yA53yhiOe04
As discussed in the beginning of this chapter, strategic thinking is centered
on a goal or objective. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly set
a goal before formulating strategies. S.M.A.R.T. is a set of criteria that is used
as a guide for setting goals. Each letter in the word SMART stands for an
individual criterion. An effective goal must meet all these criteria:
S – Specific
First of all, a goal has to be specific. The rest of the S.M.A.R.T. criteria depend
on this. For example, instead of saying “I want to be thriftier.” you can say
“Save money”. Even better, you can set a more specific goal like “Save five
thousand pesos by the end of this year.”
M – Measurable
You need to have a way to measure success. This way, you will know for sure
if you have already achieved your goal. For example, if your goal is to save
money, then you need to have a method of keeping track of your savings.
A – Attainable
Consider your capabilities and the resources that are available to you. Will
they allow you to achieve your goal? If not, then you can set a smaller, more
attainable goal. Once that goal is accomplished, then set another one and
work your way towards a bigger achievement.
R – Relevant
Ask yourself why you want to accomplish this particular goal. Is it relevant to
your life? Will the reward be beneficial to you? This will help you prioritize
multiple goals. For example, if you have 2 goals like “Learn to play the drums”
and “have an average grade to 90% by the end of the school year”, you may
realize that the academic goal is more relevant at the moment and that you
can work on your music goal during summer vacation.
T – Time-bound
Make sure that your goal is time-bound by adding a deadline or a timetable.
For example, if your goal is to save five thousand pesos by the end of the
year, you will be able to calculate how much you need to save on a monthly,
weekly, or even daily basis.
5
Strategic Thinking
The S.W.O.T. Analysis

Watch this video: https://youtu.be/PBOtnyt7BP4
After setting a goal, you can start creating your strategy. SWOT analysis is a
method that is used to help create effective strategies. It is widely used by
businesses but you can also use it for your personal goals.
SWOT analysis works by identifying four key factors. These factors are
divided into two categories; internal and external. The main difference is that
internal factors are things that you have control over while external factors
are things that are out of your control.
Internal Factors
a. Strengths
What positive qualities and resources do you have that can help you
accomplish your goal? If you are in a competitive environment, what
can you do that others cannot?
b. Weaknesses
What negative qualities can prevent you from accomplishing your
goal? In a competitive environment, what characteristics do you
possess that put you at a disadvantage?
External factors
a. Opportunities
These are events or elements that can be used to your advantage.
b. Threats
These are elements or occurrences that can cause problems and
prevent you from accomplishing your goal.
These factors are usually identified by writing them down in list form.
Once they have been identified, they have to be evaluated to
determine how they can affect your goal. Strengths and opportunities
are positive factors and have to be used to your advantage. You can
find ways to maximize their usefulness.
Weaknesses and threats are negative factors that need to be
addressed. Weaknesses are within your control and can be improved.
Threats, on the other hand are beyond your control but you can find
ways to deal with them and to minimize their negative effect on your
strategy.
Let’s do an example. Imagine that you want to have a new laptop
which your parents won’t buy for you so you have to save and/or earn
money to buy it. Let’s say that your target is thirty thousand pesos and
you gave yourself 10 months to get it. Let’s do a SWOT analysis to help
you come up with an effective strategy. Here’s what it will look like:
Course Module
Internal External
Strengths: Opportunities:
 I can save up to 300  Babysitting jobs
pesos per week. on weekends
 I already have 4000  Part time jobs during
pesos in savings summer
Weaknesses: Threats:
 I’m an impulsive  I may have to spend
buyer. money on school
 I spend a lot of money projects.
on commuting.  I may have to spend
money on social
gatherings.
Sources:
Strategic Thinking: Can it be Taught? By Dr. Jeanne Liedtka http://www.egovernment.tas.gov.au/
data/assets/pdf_file/0012/12 1125/6Liedtka.PDF

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The 21st Century 1

The 21st Century

Our place in history

The Industrial Age

The Information Age

skilled professionals such as scientists, engineers, programmers, and

21st Century Culture

Mobile computing requires portable computers or mobile devices such as

21st Century Challenges

2. Excessive population growth

4. Destruction of life in the oceans

5. Mass famine in ill organized countries

6. The spread of deserts

9. Growth of shanty cities

10. Unstoppable global migration

11. Non-state actors with extreme weapons

12. Violent religious extremism

13. Runaway computer intelligence

14. War that could end civilization

15. Risk to Homo Sapiens’ Existence

16. A New Dark Age

The 21st Century Learner

Skills for the 21st Century Challenges

In the previous chapter, we learned about the technologies and

“Staying focused on important tasks while undergoing a deluge of distractions.”

3. Connecting with each other

5. Creating and deriving meaning

6. Evaluation and authentication

7. Altered processes of validation

8. Critical and creative thinking

10. Navigate knowledge landscape

11. Acceptance of uncertainty

12. Contextualizing (understanding context games)

3Rs × 7Cs = 21st Century Learning

The 7C’s are:

1. Critical thinking and problem solving

2. Creativity and innovation

3. Collaboration, teamwork, and leadership

5. Communications, information, and media literacy

6. Computing and ICT literacy

This is a chart from NASA showing atmospheric Carbon Dioxide levels in

Why are trends important?

1. It gives a better understanding of the world around us

How to spot a trend

4. Launched in the Philippines in August, Pokemon Go is one of the

Fads within Trends

Digital Music Limewire (music download) Ipod

Hipster Movement Man bun (hairstyle)

Barriers to Critical Thinking

Self-righteousness can prevent us from being open-minded and

It is a bad habit to save face instead of admitting a mistake. First of all,

While the video was made for entertainment purposes, it clearly

Sociocentrism and Ethnocentrism

In Logic and Philosophy, an argument is a statement or series of statements

a. Ad hominem is a fallacy that is used to counter an argument by

b. Gambler’s Fallacy is the incorrect assumption that because

Example: You should bet on an even number because the last

c. False Dilemma or False Dichotomy is a fallacy in which only a

Example: If you don’t support [Politician A] then you obviously work

d. Hasty Generalization – As the name implies, it happens when a

e. Straw Man is a fallacy in which one distorts or exaggerates an

Person A: I think we should stop watching and sharing ISIS videos