Getting told what to think

When I get told what to think by some expert, it usually feels like propaganda to me. I much prefer to get told how to think about an issue rather than what conclusions I should reach. The exception is when I am learning the definitions of new words, basic concepts and underlying assumptions of an unfamiliar topic. I don't feel like I'm being brainwashed when I'm just getting started with "here's what I need to know to begin".

However, as soon as I delve into "how it differs between situations", "how it depends on circumstances" and "how it doesn't always work", I want to think for myself. I appreciate any help I can get to think through the situations I'm facing and the results I'm or am not getting. Then I'm wanting to know what to consider, choose among alternatives and make tradeoffs between. Those inputs make it easier for me to think for myself.

If you sit back for a moment, you can see that's what I've just done. I didn't indoctrinate with you the one right way to react to "getting told what to think". I showed you how it depends on how far you are into a topic. I revealed how there are times where it's appreciated and times where it feels like propaganda. In other words, I've given you a way to think for yourself about getting told what to think.