Most people think critical thinking is about being "smart." It's not — it's about noticing specific patterns that fool everyone, smart or not. Here are 3 you've almost certainly encountered this week:

1. The False Dilemma

"You either support X completely, or you're against it." Real life is rarely binary. Whenever someone gives you only two options, ask: what's the third, fourth, or fifth option they're not mentioning?

2. Appeal to Popularity

"Millions of people use this, so it must be good." Popularity is not evidence of quality or truth — it's evidence of popularity. McDonald's sells billions of burgers; that doesn't make them the healthiest meal option.

3. Confirmation Bias (the sneaky one)

This isn't a fallacy someone uses on you — it's one your own brain runs automatically. You notice and remember information that confirms what you already believe, and quietly ignore what doesn't. The fix: actively seek out the strongest opposing argument before forming a conclusion.

A simple habit to start today: Next time you feel instantly convinced by a headline, ad, or hot take, pause and ask "What would change my mind about this?" If the answer is "nothing," that's a sign you're reacting emotionally, not thinking critically.

Critical thinking is a trainable skill, not a fixed trait — happy to answer questions on this in the comments.