Getting used to critical thinking

I've always been a bit reluctant to be critical...because I associate it with those who criticise in order to hide their own deficiences, criticise because they're afraid of taking on new ideas or because it's easier to pick holes than see the positive. I am starting to think it also requires a sense of balance - constant questionning is valuable, but without a direction, or if you don't know when to stop, it can be time-consuming and fruitless.

For example, I am fascinated by the question of whether technology drives social change or social change drives developments in technology...but at the end of the day I'm unlikely to come up with a 100% watertight answer. It's a quesiton I can revisit but I can't let it consume me. Equally, I'm curious to know why penguin's feet don't freeze but I have limited time and this one's not going to help me with my tlp right now!

I now see that critical thinking can be very constructive, but it requires confidence, motivation, direction, a clear understanding of motive and awareness of when to stop.

I also think critical thinking is most valuable when we can communicate and discuss them with others. Sometimes I know deep down that something is working or isn't working, and I have a sense of why, but because I struggle to communicate this sense, I don't share it around. I need to get better at this.