No generation in History thus far has demonstrated general possession of this skill.

As is evidenced by writing off the critical thinking skills of others. None of us are terribly good at critical thinking.

Now I think about it, that likely particularly applies to those of us who believe we are great at critical thinking.

Some people are adequately humble on some occasions, but statistically speaking you're very correct about whom this applies to.

(Personal side note: This shouldn't mean we throw our hands up in the air in hopelessness, but it should remind us that we all have a mandate to be more critical of our own thinking than of that of others.)

If that's short-sighted, then it is only because that should also be applied to every generation. Most people of every generation in the world still believe in magic, which excuses any need to fully develop critical thinking skills.

Magic?

Religion, no doubt.

I'm not writing off entire generations, these are just generalities. It's a bit sad to have to caveat everything one says with "but of course there are still people who know how to think", because it's fairly obvious that certain unsaid things are the case.