4 ms·

This comment pulled me in and I've reread it several times. Tere is a lot of truth here. I appreciate how information hoarding can be a sign of status seeking.

by abnry 4y ago

This comment pulled me in and I've reread it several times. Tere is a lot of truth here. I appreciate how information hoarding can be a sign of status seeking. More knowledge, more skill, more times being the person who just knows the answer. Fear (of missing out) is a classic symptom of status seeking. The problem is that some degree of information hoarding has paid off for me. It sometimes really does improve your skill and impress your peers. Aside from fasting type interventions, what I think is needed in addition to this is some form of wisdom relating to knowing what is valuable to hoard, read, or study. It's like drinking alcohol. If you are getting drunk all the time it is probably a good idea to stop completely. But there are real benefits of social drinking. This makes me convinced I need more skill in establishing and recognizing priorities when it comes to information gathering.

bgilroy26 4y ago
A significant resource for the concept of curiositas is the virtues section of the Summa Theologica https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3167.htm https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3167.htm For those new to the Summa, generally speaking, it is good to read an article starting with the On the Contrary and the I Answer That, and then proceed on to the Objections and Replies
elevation 4y ago
Another point to ponder: Whether you fill hard drives or book shelves, your collection will perish with you unless you transfer it to someone younger _and teach them to value it_ before you pass. Several of my aging friends have thousands of books they've read and shelved up. In a few years their children will think nothing of depositing them all in the landfill because the books lack both market value and sentimental value. The books simply aren't worth the hassle of sorting through. Old hard drives filled with niche data won't fare any better. Unless the ongoing existence of your collection benefits you or a protege directly, you yourself are already effectively disposing of it.

by abnry 4y ago

bgilroy26 4y ago

A significant resource for the concept of curiositas is the virtues section of the Summa Theologica https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3167.htm https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3167.htm For those new to the Summa, generally speaking, it is good to read an article starting with the On the Contrary and the I Answer That, and then proceed on to the Objections and Replies

elevation 4y ago

Another point to ponder: Whether you fill hard drives or book shelves, your collection will perish with you unless you transfer it to someone younger _and teach them to value it_ before you pass. Several of my aging friends have thousands of books they've read and shelved up. In a few years their children will think nothing of depositing them all in the landfill because the books lack both market value and sentimental value. The books simply aren't worth the hassle of sorting through. Old hard drives filled with niche data won't fare any better. Unless the ongoing existence of your collection benefits you or a protege directly, you yourself are already effectively disposing of it.