Think well in a noisy world!

help build the future of cognitive resilience

Author

James Damico
July 22, 2025

Every day we scroll through a smorgasbord of posts—some helpful, some funny, some… suspicious. But how often do we pause and think, “Hmm, who cooked this up—and why am I consuming it?”

Welcome to Twella Insights—your space for practical tools to boost critical thinking in today’s digital world!

👨 Who am I?

I began teaching middle school back in 1992 and have spent over two decades as a professor at Indiana University, dedicated to helping students of all ages become more self-aware, independent thinkers. Along the way, I’ve developed digital tools that help learners question, reflect, and think critically about complex issues.

Twella (yes, it’s a play on “think well”) is my latest effort — a framework, platform, and resources — to help us stay in control of our thinking, no matter what the internet throws our way.

🤔 Why Twella Insights, and why now?

Algorithms and AI-generated content now decide much of what appears on our screens and it’s all too easy to go with the flow, relying on filtered feeds or AI-generated answers instead of thinking for ourselves. Twella Insights is here to change that.

We equip young people (and ourselves!) with the tools to skillfully navigate online noise and enhance cognitive resilience to meet AI demands in school, the workplace and in daily life.

🎁 Here’s what you’ll get: 2-4 monthly posts with:

  • Latest research on how social media and AI affect the way we think—and how to counteract their pitfalls.

  • Actionable tools for breaking down any post.

  • Clear, relatable examples you can use right away in school, at home, or beyond.

Critical thinking is the foundation for confident, resilient problem-solvers.

🧠 Research Insight: AI Tools Undermine Critical Thinking

Recent research shows a strong negative correlation between frequent AI tool use and critical thinking, especially among younger users (ages 17–25), who scored lower on assessments like the Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment. The more participants relied on AI, the less they engaged in independent analysis, evaluation, and inference.

🧰 Twella Toolkit

Try a “Pause & Probe” approach to respond to any social media post. Ask ?s like:

  • ❓ What type of post is it (news, opinion, promotion or ad)?

  • 💭 Does it align with my emotions, beliefs & values or not?

  • 📉 What evidence (if any) supports what is being said?

  • 🎯 How are they trying to influence me (emotional appeals, loaded language)?

📱 Real-world Example: Spotting Influence Tactics in a Viral Post

17-year-old Jay is scrolling Instagram when he sees a viral post:

“School is a scam. Billionaires didn’t need it. Neither do you.”

It features Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg with bold text:
“Why waste time in school when you could be building your empire?”

Jay, frustrated with school, feels inspired. But before sharing it with friends, he uses Twella’s Pause & Probe approach:

  • ❓ What type of post is this? → It’s actually just an opinion.

  • 💭 Does it align with my beliefs? → Yes! It plays on school stress and my desire for independence.

  • 📉 What evidence supports this? → None. It cherry-picks rare cases and ignores broader data.

  • 🎯 How is it trying to influence me? → Through emotional appeals, glamorized storytelling, and with famous figures to lend credibility. 

🧠 Jay realizes the post is misleading. Most people with lower levels of education don’t become billionaires. He also notes that the post minimizes risk (of not getting an education) and inflates reward, creating a misleading sense of possibility.

Jay chooses not to share the post 😄 

🌊 Ready to dive in?

Try a “Pause & Probe” the next time a viral post catches your eye, and let me know what you notice.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect & Share!

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

If you have questions, stories, or suggestions for future topics, just hit reply—I’d love to hear from you.

Feel free to share Twella Insights with fellow educators, parents, or anyone committed to thinking well in a noisy world.

And if this ever stops being your thing, unsubscribe anytime—no hard feelings. 

Let’s thinkwell together!

James