Q: We make a lot of assumptions about almost everything. It's how our brain processes certain pieces of information, and how we get along in everyday life. You could say they are the foundation of our critical framework. But what if those assumptions turned out to be wrong, or at least not entirely truthful? Then the whole foundation needs to be re-built, from the bottom up.  What does it mean to question assumptions? Einstein questioned the assumption that Newtonian laws of motion could accurately describe the world. He developed an entirely new framework for looking at the world by redescribing what he thought had happened, starting from scratch. We can question assumptions in a similar way. Why do we feel the need to eat in the morning, even when we're not hungry? Why do we assume that we'll fail when we haven't even tried? What other assumptions are we taking for granted that might crumble upon further examination? Like assumptions, taking information on authority can be useful. Instead of double-checking everything anyone says, we tend to label information as either coming from a trustworthy or not trustworthy source. This keeps us from double-checking every piece of information that comes our way, saving time and energy. But it also keeps us from getting to the bottom of things we perceive as coming from a trustworthy source, even when they don't. Just because it was published in a magazine or broadcast over TV doesn't mean it's necessarily true. Get in the habit of using your instinct to investigate questionable pieces of information. If your gut isn't satisfied with an explanation, ask the person to elaborate. If you don't question a fact, read about it or test it yourself. Soon enough, you'll build up a pretty good sense of what deserves more research and what you've determined to be true in your own judgment. You've already read about questioning assumptions and questioning authority figures. Now you're about to be told to question...everything? Asking questions is perhaps the quintessential act of critical thinking. If you don't know what questions to ask, or don't ask the questions in the first place, you may as well not get the answer. Finding the answer, and finding it elegantly, is what critical thinking is all about.  How does ball lightning work? How do fish fall from the sky in the middle of Australia?  How can we take meaningful steps to fight global poverty? How do we dismantle production of nuclear weapons worldwide?
A: Question your assumptions. Don't take information on authority until you've investigated it yourself. Question things.

Article: Fill a cup up with alcohol of your choosing, and place it in the middle of the table.  This cup is known as the "big chug."  Place a cup around the big chug for every player that is playing the game.  Fill each of these cups up with alcohol as well.  Assign each of the cups around the big chug to each of the players.  Each player is to memorize where their cup is placed around the big chug. A player attempts to bounce a quarter towards the cups at the center of the table.  If the player misses entirely, he or she must drink the contents of their cup.  The quarter then passes to the next player on his or her right.  If however the player makes it into one of the opponent's cups, that opponent must drink the contents of their cup. If a player bounces the quarter, and it lands in the big chug, new rules kick into place.  Every player must pick up their cup of alcohol and drink.  The last person to finish their drink must then drink the entire contents of the big chug. This game is typically ended when people are either tired of playing, or too inebriated to continue playing.  However, you can establish a point system if you wish to determine a winner.  If you bounce the quarter into an opponent's cup, you get 1 point.  If you miss all of the cups, you get no points.  If you get it in the big chug, you lose 1 point.  Finally, the person to lose the big chug drinking challenge loses 2 points.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Set up the game. Begin the game. Drink the bug chug. Ending the game.

Problem: Article: Dry the steak well with paper towels, then brush a light layer of vegetable oil over it. Rub in spices, cover loosely, and let sit for an hour. Whether you use charcoal (preferred) or gas, set your grill to use 2-zone cooking: one side very hot (about 450°F/230°C), one side medium (about 250°F/120°C). Place the tri-tip on the cool side of the grill, with the thickest part of the steak facing the hot side of the grill, and cook with the lid closed. Turn the steak occasionally, about every 20 minutes, until it reaches 110° (43°C) in the center of the thickest part. This will take about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steak and the temperature of your grill. Once the temperature reaches 110° (43°C), move the steak to the hot side of the grill, and sear it for about 5 minutes per side. Remove the steak from the grill, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help the steak retain the juices better. Cut the steak in half, and note the grain: if the muscle is long strands, rotate the steak 90° and slice the rest across the grain in about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch 5 to 10mm) slices. Serve with garlic bread, grilled potatoes or fries, green salad, and a zinfandel or cabaret sauvignon.
Summary: Prep the steak. Fire up the grill. Slow-grill the steak. Sear the steak. Let rest. Slice and serve. Serve it up.

Q: The bigger the cow is, the more you have to feed her. Although, a bigger cow may produce more milk, you don’t want a monthly feed bill that exceeds what you’re able to spend.  Holsteins are the biggest eaters and will cost the most. Brown Swiss cows are somewhere in the middle. Jerseys are the smallest and need the least amount to eat. What kind of cow do you think you can handle? Can you deal with nervous cows or would you need to have very docile ones? Take this into consideration when selecting a breed.  Brown Swiss cows are the most docile dairy cows. Holsteins tend to be a bit nervous. Jerseys can be notorious kickers. If you are raising a cow to be part of a dairy farm, obviously milk production will be a crucial factor. On the other hand, if you only need enough milk for your family, you may not need such a high-production breed. You may wish to mix your herd if it's for commercial reasons, such as adding a few Jerseys to a predominantly Holstein herd to increase the Holstein's butterfat content.   If you're looking to maximize milk production, Holsteins are the way to go. If you're only wanting milk for you and your family, you may want to consider a cow that doesn't give as much milk (such as a Jersey). Breeds that are dual-purpose (produce both milk and meat) may be ideal, but this will produce less milk overall. You may also want a dairy cow for butter and cheese making. Jerseys and Brown Swiss produce milk higher in butterfat and protein content, making them ideal for cheese and butter making. Dairy cows that have been culled from conventional dairy operations are cheaper. However, such cows may have injuries, illnesses, or inability to breed back.  If you are a dairy farmer just starting out, avoid these cull animals. As a hobby farmer you may not mind the time, money and feed invested in rescuing and caring for one or two cull dairy cows.
A:
Consider the cost of feed. Gauge the cow’s temperament. Decide what you’ll use this cow for. Look at cull cows.