"Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are." (José Saramago)

"Within us there is something that has no name, that thing is what we are." (José Saramago) As is generally the case in life today, we live by perceptions, not only in politics, and perception ends up generating trust in everything around us. In fact, we live surrounded by a lot of "knowledge," but in a society isolated from curiosity. Disinterest has become the greatest ally of misinformation. Disinterest grows, and with it, misinformation flourishes – when curiosity disappears, the truth ceases to matter, and we continue to witness a society submerged in misinformation, fueled by collective apathy – the lack of curiosity and interest on the part of people creates a fertile environment for the spread of fake news. From a certain point in our lives, we have to analyze what makes us happy and from there, work towards it. Time doesn't stop for us to think about life and decide what we are going to do with it. We should all know that the hands of the clock never move backward, and the sooner we become aware of this, the better. In fact, reflecting on time and life is a daily exercise. It helps to evaluate past choices and experiences and to plan the future we so desire. We are reminded of a famous phrase: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us," from the character Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." This phrase reflects the importance of using time consciously and intentionally to make important decisions about our lives. We are fully aware that misinformation does not stem from a lack of knowledge, but from a lack of interest in seeking it. Social media and the press disseminate this disconnect, favoring sensationalism and controversy, because today emotion is worth more than evidence. And so, in a world accustomed to and encouraged not to question, critical thinking becomes a species at risk. We live in an era where we are constantly bombarded with information — on social media, in the media, in everyday conversations. We have never had so much access to knowledge, and, paradoxically, we have never been so exposed to misinformation, prejudice, and manipulation of opinions. It is in this scenario that critical thinking reveals itself not only as a useful skill, but as a true tool for intellectual survival. Thinking critically is more than knowing how to reason — it is knowing how to question, analyze, reflect, and decide autonomously. Critical thinking is the ability to rationally, logically, and independently analyze the ideas, information, and arguments we encounter. It is not about being contrarian, nor about doubting everything, but about being able to clearly assess what is presented to us before accepting or rejecting something as true. In short, critical thinking is the basis of intellectual freedom. Without it, we risk accepting ready-made ideas, reproducing prejudices, and living according to logics we did not choose. With it, we have more tools to live consciously, coherently, and informedly. "Do whatever it takes to be happy. But don't forget that happiness is a simple feeling; you can find it and let it go without realizing its simplicity." (Martha Medeiros)