Normal Person

Krugman's publication does NOT claim that the areas of our brain primarily responsible for logical and analytical thoughts tune out. The sample size is one woman. She was given magazines to read. Then she was shown TV ads. The publication claims that her brain was more active while reading a discussion about "different techniques of applying make-up" than it was while watching the TV ads. The woman also reported that she was "annoyed when the TV commercials came on". Additionally his publication is from 1971. In neuroscience this matters. fMRI did not exist and old EEG was used. After a quick google scholar search I have found no evidence that would support this claim. And while anecdotal, I can assure you that my analytical thinking does not turn off while watching TV, which is why I find myself unable to enjoy most TV entertainment. Why would you make such an assumption? Watching TV and using a computer are very different activities. There is no scientific or logical reason that justifies worrying about a screen magically inhibiting your capability of reasoning. Actually, the complex digital environment might stimulate and train your brain. I would use a different approach than a list of suggestions. First you need a good foundation. Sleep enough and consistently, have a good diet, do regular and intense physical exercise. Mens sana in corpore sano. Then you can be more specific. You want to train your analytical thinking but also maintain awareness. Build up momentum and keep it going. A balance of scepticism and acceptance is important. For this you need critical thinking and an open mind. Do not just be critical of others but also yourself. Understand that you could be wrong with everything but also that living in doubt gets you nowhere.

A scientific theory is the product of the scientific method and therefore has been experimentally tested and confirmed many times. The string theory is not a scientific theory. Theoretical physics is not scientific. 'Speculative science' is a contradiction in itself. I am not surprised that some string theorists demand theoretical physics to be excluded from scientific standards and be accepted apparently just for their 'elegance'. To my knowledge string theorists have not produced any result. It is in their interest to counteract the consequently waning popularity and funds by enforcing acceptance. Yet this desperate and selfish attack on science is despicable. Omitting elements of the scientific method destroys science's credibility.