Speaker: David Paterno
Coping with information overload. Consider nature and interpersonal relationships.
David Paterno: Hey, in the spirit of Information Overload Awareness Day, and in taking a page from Michael Pollan, my suggestions are as follows: One, engage information. Two, not too much. Three, mostly essential and by speech or other interpersonal media when possible. I'm in the town belt of Wellington, New Zealand, enjoying one of my favorite daily rituals, a gentle walk in the woods. Though I'm using my smartphone to record this, on most days I keep my mobile phone silent and in my pocket. We tend to always keep our devices on us, and that makes tucking into digital media like Twitter, Instagram and the like really feel like second nature. But they're not nature, of course. This is. And really, since every day brings with it information overload, shouldn't every day be Information Overload Awareness Day? So, what to do. Find a digital device-free activity. Keep your mobile out of hand's reach. And make time for good old interpersonal talk, speaking and listening. Focus on taking in the sights and the sounds of the people and the places around you. For me, that means resuming my walk along with my little four-legged friend. Unplug, unwind, and check in with someone you care about today. Limit your screen time and always verify information or offers that seem too good to be true. That's all I have to say; back to the walk for now. Bye bye.
