Navigating the Information Deluge: Insights from one of my favorite authors Neal Stephenson
Dealing with news and information whiplash
In our journey to understand the ever-evolving world, particularly the frenetic tech industry, it's essential to occasionally step back and reflect. Neal Stephenson, an amazing author (whose books I always devour) and I deeply admire, provides a fascinating perspective on managing information overload in his novel "Anathem."
Stephenson's book introduces a radical concept: a society where scholars, called avout, immerse themselves in deep thought, away from the relentless flood of news, engaging with the external world only at decade-long intervals. This notion, while extreme, sparks an intriguing question for us: How can we create space in our lives for more profound and expansive thinking amid the constant barrage of information?
Reflecting on Stephenson's own musings during the Millennium Clock project, he pondered the efficiency of engaging with current events less frequently. He imagined a world where one could read the newspaper once a year or a decade, focusing instead on broader, more meaningful reflections. While not a prescription for our daily routines, this idea challenges the norms of our hyper-connected existence.
However, like anything, this approach has its trade-offs. The avout's isolation in "Anathem" sometimes leaves them unprepared for rapid changes, reminding us of the importance of balance. We must find a middle ground where we stay informed without being overwhelmed.
In our current times, marked by a sense of helplessness against the relentless flow of news, adopting a selective engagement strategy could break the spell. Imagine the mental space we'd reclaim if we allowed ourselves periodic disconnections to ponder over larger issues.
While we cannot replicate the avout's lifestyle, integrating some form of 'information fasting' into our lives might be beneficial. This doesn't mean ignoring world events but rather consuming information more intentionally. As we navigate the challenges of staying informed yet thoughtful, let's consider incorporating these reflections into our practices. It might be the key to breaking free from the confines of information overload and embracing a more insightful understanding of the world.
I myself have reduced my Twitter/X usage substantially, limit my LinkedIn consumption to 10 minutes a day, only scroll headlines for 15 mins a day and then read The Economist and The New Yorker on weekends. This helps me deal with information whiplash and keeps me focused on my research and teaching projects.
What are you doing? Let me know your thoughts…
Until next time, let's keep learning together.
Sources: I used ChatGPT to help me figure these ideas out - the prompt flow is here
I could not agree more fully that reflection is required for learning and understanding to occur. I will also offer this in additional to @PaulBaier’s daily meditation practice - daily moving meditation is also an option for many diverse thinkers. Vinyasa practice is one option but many find walking, swimming, cycling, running, to also be a form of moving meditation where you can simply ‘be’, let go of ego, and allow the mind to settle into rhythmic mantra or thought. In our 24 hour news cycle and media streams, we need this quiet and return to the practice of tapas - the mental friction or heat generated when old ideas run against new ones.
Karim,
A really important topic. I still have much to improve but have found a few things helpful
1. meditation has help me to start to realize the gap between event and emotional reaction (I like guided meditations like Headspace)
2. physically getting away on the weekend for a 1-2 hours with pen and paper focus to people, process, long term goals, and important-not-urgent items. I especially value questions (Will everyone have a personal LLMs in 5 years? What are 2 things that I should do now that I am not doing? I ask myself the question and listen
3. writing (including comparing 5 years ago and projecting 5 years ahead - it's helped me realize how fast time goes)