A 3-part CAR model to become a skeptic

Back when I was a student, and during group assignments…

I’ve observed how my classmates did their problem-solving.

Some go straight into punching their calculators.

Some write the formulas before they even pick up their calculators.

Some prefer to brainstorm out loud.

But ultimately, we end up with the same answers.

At work, when reviewing Excel sheets

I’ve observed that people have different ways of creating a report.

Some use complex Excel formulas in one cell.

Some use basic formulas combined in multiple cells.

Some use add-ins and macros

All to satisfy a similar outcome

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Mental models influence the way we solve problems.

That's why each and every one of us works in different ways.

But when does your mental model need an update or an upgrade?

I’m fascinated with AI and emerging tech stuff these days

And it makes me realize one thing

Now is the time to learn more about how to think differently or to be more critical thinkers.

In an age of endless and overwhelming information

Consider critical thinking as a hedge against an uncertain future

And we know this in itself is tough.

We don’t always want to discard or change mental models that benefited us before.

But to become a professional skeptic, we need to face our biases or heuristics.

A bias can be:

- thinking in ways to confirm what you already know,

- trusting only the available information, or

- satisfying what’s good enough without exploring other options.

Let me share with you one of my favorite mental models to break bias.

To confront my biases, I’m using a 3-part mental model which I termed as CAR (not a vehicle):

• Components – think of the underlying parts and how they contribute to the whole.

• Assumptions – assume there’s something you don’t know and that the group collectively knows something more than the individual.

• Range – think of possibilities and that there is no single way to arrive at the same outcome.

Find opportunities to develop and practice different mental models.

Our world needs more critical thinkers.

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