The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom is a thought-provoking book that explores the decline of critical thinking and the devaluation of great books in Western thought. Bloom argues that students today lack the practice and taste for reading, which hinders their ability to derive beliefs from evidence and central texts. Without an understanding of important older texts, students are left with vague and abstract ideas of good and evil. They lack a reference point to critically think about or address current events.

The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom is a thought-provoking book that explores the decline of critical thinking and the devaluation of great books in Western thought. Bloom argues that students today lack the practice and taste for reading, which hinders their ability to derive beliefs from evidence and central texts. Without an understanding of important older texts, students are left with vague and abstract ideas of good and evil. They lack a reference point to critically think about or address current events.

Bloom also highlights the influence of popular culture, family, and peers on students' values. Instead of seeking instruction and asking questions, students follow the path of least resistance when developing their values. Bloom references Friedrich Nietzsche's belief that modern man is falling into nihilism, and attributes this to value relativism in contemporary democracy. He argues that commercial pursuits have become more highly valued than love, truth-seeking, honor, and glory.

In the chapter "The University," Bloom discusses how elite institutions prioritize ambition over the search for truth. Universities reflect the public and democracy at large, and are shaped by public opinion. This reliance on public opinion hinders the pursuit of critical thinking and intellectual growth.

Moving on to the topic of thin platforms, we see a different perspective on limitations and control. Thin platforms, such as Apple's App Store, restrict developer freedom and opportunity. Developers do not have access to the core financial data of a company, and instead must fit into an abstraction layer that covers all money-moving pieces. The justification for this control is often rooted in the architectural choices made in designing the underlying operating system. Mobile devices, for example, prioritize security through these architectural choices, leading to limited developer freedom.

Chat platforms, like any social product, rely on a monopoly to be effective. Everyone in a company needs to be on board and not use any other platform for it to work. This sets up platforms like Microsoft Teams to monopolize an entire company, similar to how Windows monopolized individual PCs. Microsoft's success with Teams compared to competitors like Slack showcases the value of incorporating various functionalities into a single platform. Having things "run like clockwork" is crucial for the success of thin platforms.

It is important to note that thin platforms, like Microsoft, have faced criticism for leveraging their dominance in one area to gain market share in another. However, the market eventually found alternatives, such as Firefox and Chrome, as end users sought something better. This highlights the importance of competition and innovation in the tech industry.

In conclusion, both "The Closing of the American Mind" and the concept of thin platforms shed light on the limitations and control present in different contexts. The decline of critical thinking and the devaluation of great books in education hinder students' ability to derive beliefs from evidence and central texts. On the other hand, thin platforms restrict developer freedom but also provide a centralized and efficient solution. To navigate these challenges, here are three actionable advice:

1. Encourage reading and the study of important older texts to provide a reference point for critical thinking about current events.
2. Foster a culture of curiosity and questioning in educational institutions to counteract the path of least resistance in developing values.
3. Embrace competition and innovation to prevent monopolistic control and encourage continuous improvement in the tech industry.

By addressing these recommendations, we can work towards a society that values critical thinking, intellectual growth, and the pursuit of truth.