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Critical and Creative Thinking in Society

Susan Lansdon

PHL/458

Due Date

Courtney Moore

Critical and Creative Thinking in Society

Describe a situation in which critical and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome. Describe why it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations.

A situation that comes to mind in which critical and creative thought could have been used for a better outcome is the state of Louisiana's and federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

There was a clear lack of coordinated effort which critical and creative thought could have avoided. As is noted by Chaudhuri (2010), "As the situation unfolded, it became clear that the government's response was inadequate and inefficient. The federal government did not have adequate information concerning the true devastation that the hurricane had caused (White House). The organizations in charge of search and rescue, the Urban Search and Rescue and the Civil Search and Rescue, did not coordinate their efforts and lacked a strategy for their mission (White House).

" (Government: Response to Katrina).

Chaudhuri (2010) goes on to note, "FEMA seemed almost unwilling to accept help from non-government organizations. For example, the American Red Cross was not allowed into New Orleans following the disaster and was unable to supplement the government's response (American Red Cross 2005). By August 30th, the Superdome was packed past capacity, with at least 20,000 people residing in the building. The situation in the Superdome eventually became so bad that it had to be evacuated the next day (USC Annenberg 2005)" (Government: Response to Katrina).

There were many lessons learned after Katrina. I think the reason it is important to think critically and creatively in similar situations is best summed up by President George W. Bush in the September 2005...