Sign-In
Cart
Thinking Critically about What Matters: A Punk Rock Guide
Paperback
General ReferenceTeaching Instruction
Publisher: ALA Editions
Published: May 7 2026
Pages: 248
Weight: 0.75
Height: 0.48 Width: 5.92 Depth: 8.99
Language: English
Thinking Critically About What Matters lays out an original perspective on critical thinking, defined as the values-based decision-making process of (i) making up our own minds about what matters in life and (ii) making choices in the real world based on our own authentically chosen values. The authors deftly synthesize the critical thinking mindset of thinking for yourself with the DIY punk rock ethos of doing things for yourself, presenting an actionable approach to critical thinking that will give you the philosophical tools you need to creatively embody these rebellious philosophical perspectives in your own life and work.
Organized into six chapters, this guide investigates philosophical perspectives from divergent traditions that share a common theme of liberating a person from their own self-centering biases and limited point of view when interpreting the information that comprises reality. With a refreshingly irreverent attitude toward hierarchical authority and other cultural conventions, it
- shares practical strategies for sound decision-making and creative thinking around purpose and meaning in both individual and group contexts;
- outlines a rebellious attitude for thinking critically about evaluating information, media bias, and information literacy education more broadly;
- demonstrates how Socrates' philosophically therapeutic approach can be adapted for critical thinking that's grounded in intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and frank assessment of one's values and assumptions about what matters in life;
- explores Zen Buddhism's playful, rule-breaking approach to critical thinking, including Bruce Lee's Taoist admonition to Be Water, Buddhism's invitation to widen one's window on oneself and the world through an emphasis on de-centering the self, and the importance of reflecting on the nature of impermanence;
- discusses Friedrich Nietzsche's critique of the hegemony of dominant cultural values as universal shoulds and recommends Nietzsche's bespoke theory of practical wisdom centered on positive psychology, self-trust, and individual and group self-expression as a more suitable basis for sound-decision making;
- culminates in a discussion of intersectional anarchist perspectives on leadership and meaningful work, proposing direct democratic decision-making as a practical framework for inclusive decision-making in teams and organizations;
- includes extensive artwork and zine-style illustrations of philosophical concepts that can serve as the basis for critical thinking zines, lesson plans, presentations, professional development workshops, or even entire courses on critical thinking; and
- concludes with reflections on the unique cultural role librarians can play in democratizing information and fostering critical thinking.
Also from
Klipfel, Kevin Michael
Learner-Centered Pedagogy: Principles and Practice
Klipfel, Kevin Michael
Brecher Cook, Dani
Paperback
Also in
General Reference
Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook (Core Rulebook, D&d Roleplaying Game)
Dungeons & Dragons
Hardcover
The Science Magpie: Fascinating Facts, Stories, Poems, Diagrams and Jokes Plucked from Science
Flynn, Simon
Paperback
Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers: A Little Book of Whimsy and Wisdom from the Files of the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
Hardcover
The Parenting Project: Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Kids Through Daily Conversation
Alamar, Amy
Schlichting, Kristine
Paperback
Lost in Space: 5,000 Facts for Navigating the Universe
Walker, Lindsey Nyx
Tyson, Neil Degrasse
Hardcover
Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie
Turrubiate-Simpson, Blanca
Weaver, Mary Frances
Paperback
Canning & Preserving: The Techniques, Equipment, and Recipes to Get Started
Harmeling, Michele
Paperback
The New Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations
Piven, Joshua
Borgenicht, David
Hardcover
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers Volume 1
Roux, Jessica
Hardcover
Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms
Marrone, Teresa
Yerich, Kathy
Paperback
White Elephant Gifts for Adult: 500 Serial Killers Encyclopedia Facts and Figures
Murdle, K.
Paperback
The Book of Unusual Knowledge: Big Book of Fascinating Facts & Information Hardcover Gift for Trivia Buffs, Curious Minds, Adults, Dad & Knowledge See
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Oster, Emily
Paperback
Take It from Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
Habib, Alia Hanna
Hardcover
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Brody, Jessica
Paperback
The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents: From Rejection to Representation in 8 Steps
McDonald, Patrick
Matesic, Alyssa
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Paperback
American Sign Language Made Easy for Beginners: A Visual Guide with ASL Signs, Lessons, and Quizzes
Belmontes-Merrell, Travis
Paperback
The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society
Marriott, James
Hardcover
The Writing Rope: A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction in All Subjects
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Wexler, Natalie
Hochman, Judith C.
Paperback
Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language (Revised & Expanded)
Linklater, Kristin
Paperback
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition
Balch, Thomas J.
Robert, Henry M., III
Honemann, Daniel H.
Paperback
Seberson Method: New Sat(r) Vocabulary Workbook: Over 700 High-Frequency Words to Master
Seberson, Katya
Paperback
The Trusted Advisor: 20th Anniversary Edition
Maister, David H.
Galford, Robert
Green, Charles
Paperback
The Public Domain: Find and Use Free Content for Your Website, Book, App, Music, Video, Art, and More
Secor, Glen
Paperback
Next Steps in Literacy Instruction: Connecting Assessments to Effective Interventions
Smartt, Susan, PH. D.
Glaser, Deborah, Ed D.
Paperback
French Short Stories: Thirty French Short Stories for Beginners to Improve your French Vocabulary
Moreau, Dylane
Paperback
Chase's Calendar of Events 2027: The Ultimate Go-To Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months
Chase's, Editors Of
Paperback
The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature, Revised and Expanded
Fadiman, Clifton
Major, John S.
Paperback
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Revised and Updated)
Cohen, Harlan
Paperback
Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals: A Guide to Successful Evaluations
Neal Jr, James E.
Paperback
True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t: 500 Insane-But-True Facts That Will Shock and Impress Your Friends 1
Carley, Shane
Paperback
The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous
Smith, Matt
Smith, Maxim
Casey, Doug
Hardcover
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Language and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Murphy, Barbara
Paperback
The Reading Strategies Book 2.0: Your Research-Based Guide to Developing Skilled Readers
Serravallo, Jennifer
Paperback
The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5-12
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge from the American Library Association
American Library Association (ALA)
Paperback
The Bookshop: A History of Bookselling from the Dawn of Print to the Twenty-First Century
Pettegree, Andrew
Hardcover
Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Burroway, Janet
Stuckey-French, Elizabeth
Stuckey-French, Ned
Paperback
The Vocabulary Builder Workbook: Simple Lessons and Activities to Teach Yourself Over 1,400 Must-Know Words
Lele, Chris
Magoosh
Paperback
Elledge's Nontrivial Trivia: The Seriously Enlightening Stories Behind Supposedly Simple Facts
Elledge, Jonn
Paperback
Stuff Every Adult Should Know: A Pocket-Sized Guide to Grown-Up Know-How, from Taxes to Small Talk
Cohen, Brett
Favreau, Alyssa
Kalb, Alanna
Hardcover
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Hartnett, Michael
Paperback
Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record
Ziskina, Juliya
Freeland, Chris
Messarra, Luca
Paperback
Spelling High School Grades 9-10: Vocabulary and Writing Practice with Interactive Activities
Attard, Natasha
Paperback
180 Days(r) Reading for Fifth Grade, 2nd Edition: Practice, Assess, Diagnose
Kopp, Kathy
Levsey, Dylan
Kopp, Kathleen N.
Paperback
7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It!
Hutchins, Chryse
Zimmermann, Susan
Paperback
The Book For Men Who Have Everything: Unusual Knowledge and Boredom Busters for Intelligent Men
Iq Street
Paperback
Black People Invented Everything: The Deep History of Indigenous Creativity
Dass, Sujan Kumar
Paperback
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Paperback
The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible: Birds, Behaviors, Habitats, Identification, Art & Other Home Crafts
Perrins, Christopher
Ellis, Sonya Patel
Sterry, Paul
Hardcover
The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design: A Guide to Furnishing, Decorating, and Styling Your Home
Goebel, Julie
Flemming, Caitlin
Hardcover
The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century 2000-2100 at Midnight, Michelsen Memorial Edition
Michelsen, Neil F.
Paperback
The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly-Fishing: Everything You Need to Know to Catch Fish Your First Time Out
Monahan, Philip
Paperback
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
Browne, Renni
King, Dave
Paperback
Hoyle's Rules of Games, 3rd Revised and Updated Edition: The Essential Guide to Poker and Other Card Games
Morehead, Albert H.
Mott-Smith, Geoffrey
Morehead, Philip D.
Paperback
The Best Punctuation Book, Period (Revised Edition): A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Casagrande, June
Paperback
The What Does the Bible Say about: The Ultimate A to Z Resource
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nelson Reference
Paperback
Totally Awesome Book of Useless Information: A Delightfully Absurd Collection of Unusual Knowledge for Adults and Teens
Style, Life Daily
Paperback