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This seems like nonsense. The author claims that we're overwhelmed by the volume of content we consume and that's why we can't be creative. So the suggested sol

This seems like nonsense. The author claims that we're overwhelmed by the volume of content we consume and that's why we can't be creative. So the suggested solution is to do more work to consume content? That doesn't make any sense to me.

thejorgemedina 3y ago
Hey, author here :) Having enlightening experiences of learning requires effort. Anybody who wants to learn and thrive on any topic needs to make an effort to curate the sources he's consuming. That's not new. It certainly isn't an internet thing. We've always paid to be entertained and educated. And money is earned with effort. When content wasn't as abundant, you needed to be selective with what you wanted to consume. You developed a taste, and continued to consume that type of content, hence basically becoming a curator of whatever your interest was. The problem now, with all content being free, is that we pay with our time. And time is our most valuable currency. So yes. Even though there's an initial effort curve to build a Second brain (or any other system you like), the end result is a much better internet experience.
wizzledonker 3y ago
This was my impression as well. I think people actually feeling burnt out creatively might read this and get a forlorn feeling that what is required is more work, and then go straight back to mindlessly scrolling
maitkin 3y ago
Exactly right, this article wrongly imagines we can treat the problem by exercising the problem. Learn to sit still and give your deep mind a chance to be present, this might lead to actual creativity.
babblingfish 3y ago
Agreed, these people who write about productivity make everything so complicated. We don't need books or systems for this. Just read and watch what interests you and ignore everything else.
jug 3y ago
Also the recommendation to block content to curate your feed and not just scroll past it. Does he even realize what he is suggesting? That the user curates the social media feed to be more tailored and thus addictive. It won’t shorten just because you block stuff. The actual cure to that crap is to fill your day with healthier activities so that you’ll end up surprising yourself you hadn’t browsed Instagram today.
- thejorgemedina 3y ago
  Hey, the author here :) My point is that there's also good that can come out of social media. Completely disregarding any social media as useless and a waste of time is wrong, in my opinion. My point is to start blocking so that you can turn whatever social media of your choosing into an enriching experience, rather than a doom scrolling one. But of course, even if you do so, we should all keep a limit on our internet consumption as a whole.
- projectazorian 3y ago
  > Also the recommendation to block content to curate your feed and not just scroll past it. Does he even realize what he is suggesting? That the user curates the social media feed to be more tailored and thus addictive. It won’t shorten just because you block stuff. I find that it does shorten. Of course infinite scroll still happens but with a ruthlessly curated feed, it seems like after about 5-10 minutes of browsing there's a tipping point where relevance drops off a cliff. That's when I know to close the app. (I open IG maybe 1-2x a week, FYI)
alisson_dover 3y ago
I don't see a contradiction in that. Books are knowledge. If you want to learn how to do something better - reading a book is one way to do it. Could be a video, or a longer article, but the point is the same. Another good way to develop a healthier relationship with our content consumption habits is to meditate. It's not contradictory to suggest to read a book on the benefits of meditation.
deleted 3y ago
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firecall 3y ago
Yes, the article isnt good.

thejorgemedina 3y ago

Hey, author here :) Having enlightening experiences of learning requires effort. Anybody who wants to learn and thrive on any topic needs to make an effort to curate the sources he's consuming. That's not new. It certainly isn't an internet thing. We've always paid to be entertained and educated. And money is earned with effort. When content wasn't as abundant, you needed to be selective with what you wanted to consume. You developed a taste, and continued to consume that type of content, hence basically becoming a curator of whatever your interest was. The problem now, with all content being free, is that we pay with our time. And time is our most valuable currency. So yes. Even though there's an initial effort curve to build a Second brain (or any other system you like), the end result is a much better internet experience.

wizzledonker 3y ago

This was my impression as well. I think people actually feeling burnt out creatively might read this and get a forlorn feeling that what is required is more work, and then go straight back to mindlessly scrolling

maitkin 3y ago

Exactly right, this article wrongly imagines we can treat the problem by exercising the problem. Learn to sit still and give your deep mind a chance to be present, this might lead to actual creativity.

babblingfish 3y ago

Agreed, these people who write about productivity make everything so complicated. We don't need books or systems for this. Just read and watch what interests you and ignore everything else.

jug 3y ago

Also the recommendation to block content to curate your feed and not just scroll past it. Does he even realize what he is suggesting? That the user curates the social media feed to be more tailored and thus addictive. It won’t shorten just because you block stuff. The actual cure to that crap is to fill your day with healthier activities so that you’ll end up surprising yourself you hadn’t browsed Instagram today.

thejorgemedina 3y ago
Hey, the author here :) My point is that there's also good that can come out of social media. Completely disregarding any social media as useless and a waste of time is wrong, in my opinion. My point is to start blocking so that you can turn whatever social media of your choosing into an enriching experience, rather than a doom scrolling one. But of course, even if you do so, we should all keep a limit on our internet consumption as a whole.
projectazorian 3y ago
> Also the recommendation to block content to curate your feed and not just scroll past it. Does he even realize what he is suggesting? That the user curates the social media feed to be more tailored and thus addictive. It won’t shorten just because you block stuff. I find that it does shorten. Of course infinite scroll still happens but with a ruthlessly curated feed, it seems like after about 5-10 minutes of browsing there's a tipping point where relevance drops off a cliff. That's when I know to close the app. (I open IG maybe 1-2x a week, FYI)

alisson_dover 3y ago

I don't see a contradiction in that. Books are knowledge. If you want to learn how to do something better - reading a book is one way to do it. Could be a video, or a longer article, but the point is the same. Another good way to develop a healthier relationship with our content consumption habits is to meditate. It's not contradictory to suggest to read a book on the benefits of meditation.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

firecall 3y ago

Yes, the article isnt good.