Working in a Dangerous World

Pharmacy robberies continue to rise. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working retail are what several now classify as a dangerous profession. There is no haven. Schools, restaurants, theaters, and even places of worship are potential targets for an attack.
Pharmacies install bullet proof glass walls to isolate pharmacy workers. Hospitals, businesses, and organizations now provide training to employees in what to do in case of assault, robbery, or abduction. Employees are taught to be compliant with the perpetrator, give the criminal whatever he wants. Hydrocodone, a highly sought after narcotic drug, was reclassified to C-II to control this addicting medication better. Many shout, “zero tolerance” or “let’s get tough on crime.” But is this solving the problem?
Sadly too, there are an ever increasing number of people that firmly believe that turning to violence is an acceptable response to real or even perceived injustice.
The world now has powerful technologies where our privacy is being penetrated and compromised. DNA testing, voice recognition software, credit card tracking, e-mail review systems, face-recognition, and sales tracking. Stop and think about this. Your grocer knows if you bought two filet mignons and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or a package of bologna, a cheap loaf of bread, and their private label jar of mustard.
Richard W. Paul and Linda Elder write in their book, Critical Thinking, “Short-term thinking which leads to quick-fix solutions, is largely the rule of the day. Great power is wielded around the world by little minds. Critical thinking is not a social value in any society.”
The challenge for this world is to become critical thinkers. Critical thinking is working toward improving one’s life and also seeking to improve the world. It is critical thinking where justice and good sense are the norms rather than the exception, and where power serves reason rather than reason serving power. Tackle the need to consistently take part in thinking and examine ignorance. Through critical thinking, we can begin to understand the positive outcomes of intellectual development, social change, and personal growth.