At what point does piling up resources to read/watch becomes a problem?
As modern people, it's common to proactively scroll through the online abyss for new sources of information. We imagine that the next groundbreaking idea is just a click away. Thus, we subscribe to more newsletters, more YouTube channels, bookmark more sites, and order more books.
By doing all of this, we get the feeling that we are progressing. That all of this information-gathering adds one more step towards our hypothetical new and better life.
But is it?
The cycle of collecting resources is a means to an end. However, this cycle typically never ends.
We accumulate more books and more materials to watch because the act of collecting is a reward in itself. It feels good - awesome, actually - to visit the library again, cuddle with big books, and take one more home. But how many more books on mindfulness do I need to realize that spending more time searching for resources on this topic won't make me extra mindful?
This fallacy, often referred to as the Collector's Fallacy, is a huge issue.
Why fallacy?
Because we falsely believe that we need more resources to solve our problems, when the reality is that we simply need to do more with the knowledge we already have.
Collecting more resources doesn't help me make progress, but it surely feels good.
When I watch a video on habit change, or purchase a course on habits, the desired identity of a person with good habits is supported. I feel like I'm making progress, but no actual progress is made until I do something with the information I've gathered from all the consumed resources.
Sadly, I rarely get into the doing part. I convince myself that I need "more" content to feel confident and make a move. But more content introduces me to even more content, which leads to even more content... It's a never-ending cycle.
Why do we hoard information?
Consuming is addictive. We are rewarded when we buy a book and when we watch a video. Moreover, this is something tangible. I can see and touch all of my books. These objects are like emblems of intellect that reinforce the person I want to become. The more symbols of progress I collect, the more assured I am that I'm becoming this type of person. But am I?
The way forward is far harder than you think. Conquering the Collector's Fallacy is difficult in a world with so many exciting things to collect.
For me personally, it looks kind of like this: finding a few good resources, then dedicating enough time to studying and applying the knowledge inside while proactively not exposing myself to new sources of information.
Worth reflecting on:
What would happen if I stop consuming new content for a month and focus on using what I already know?
Do I really need to read/watch more about the thing, or should I focus more on doing the thing?
From my personal experience, I fortify my knowledge when I stop consuming new stuff and re-read already familiar articles and books.
But it's not particularly easy. The mind craves novelty. It will do all it can do to persuade me that I don't know enough about the topic. That I should consume more.
Worth reading:
From my desk:
From around the web:
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On shortcuts and longcuts: "Shortcuts tend to be pragmatic and goal-directed; you cut across the grass to save ten seconds on your way to the library. Longcuts are more about enabling; opening up a space for activities."
Worth thinking about:
"The lonely one offers his hand too quickly to whomever he encounters."
― Friedrich Nietzsche
We are entering the post-information era. A phase where we have easy access to the world's information, but not enough time to process the information.
With each new AI tool invented that should supposedly help me with everything, I feel more drawn to taking notes. The old and boring way of writing by hand might be slower and less efficient than some AI bot summarizing everything I touch, but it surely helps me understand the information I interact with a lot better. What about you?
Thank you for your time!
Regards,
