Keep Thinking Independently
Watching HBO’s Chernobyl is shocking for how far people go to bury the truth. If millions of lives can be treated so lightly, how much truth remains in the world? Are we like Jim Carrey in The Truman Show — living in illusion, chasing truth in vain, or not even realizing the falsehood?
When U.S. President Trump cries “fake news” even as he blusters, perhaps he’s onto something: someone is always lying — including himself. Kang Lee at the University of Toronto found that by age three, humans already learn to lie — and everyone lies. Whom can we trust? 😅
Buffett and Munger have long insisted on independent thinking and only investing within their circle of competence. Most people, fanned by the media, blindly chase hot themes. When the tide goes out, the beach is littered with the bodies of naked swimmers — “retail sheep,” reads the shared epitaph.
Independent awareness is the core divide between people; independent thinking is the guarantor of an independent character. Years ago, a “herding‑marriage‑herding” story spurred reflection on ignorance. Today, as many repeat the track “college‑job‑mortgage‑kids,” we should ask: did I choose my life, copy another’s, or live the life others want for me?
With mobile internet pushing us into a screen‑reading era and information flooding in, independent thinking grows harder — and ever more precious.
To think independently, first get the full truth. Jack Ma once told new hires not to spout strategy; Ren Zhengfei said those who pen grand strategy essays should see a doctor or be fired. They despise such “advice” because new hires don’t truly understand the company’s history and inner workings.
Charlie Munger has spent a lifetime collecting and studying famous failure cases — across people, industries, government regulation, and academia — then turning the causes into a pre‑decision checklist, which helps him avoid big mistakes. Master principles of independent thinking, build your own checklist, and decide against it. You’ll do more with less — and avoid major slips.
Deliberate practice — writing, speaking, and making decisions — is a direct and effective way to strengthen independent thinking.
Published at: Jun 5, 2025 · Modified at: Oct 26, 2025
