In my TEDx talk, Consuming, Writing, and Reasoning: A Playbook for Gen-Z Critical Thinking, I explored how young people can develop the skill of forming their own ideas in an age saturated with information.

The talk begins with a simple observation: we are constantly consuming content, yet rarely pausing to process it deeply. Critical thinking starts with awareness, by watching the news cycle, curating what we take in, and recognizing that every piece of information arrives with context, bias, and intent.

From there, the practice shifts from consumption to creation. Writing is not just a medium for communication but an extension of thought itself. Putting ideas into words makes them visible and open to revision, allowing us to test, refine, and strengthen our reasoning. Writing becomes the space where thinking takes shape.

To make this more practical, I introduced a seven-step playbook:

1. Watch the news cycle.

2. Understand the news, including its patterns and motives.

3. Insert a new idea.

4. See what resonates.

5. Edit the idea.

6. Insert another idea.

7. Live in your new world.

This process is iterative and personal. It trains us not only to respond to information but also to shape our own intellectual landscapes. The outcome is a more confident and grounded ability to engage with the world, one that balances thoughtful consumption with original contribution.

At its core, the talk encourages a simple practice: move from passive scrolling to active thinking, and use writing as the tool that turns ideas into something real.