More Doors!

So, in these modern times we have information coming at us from all angles with a veracity that can only be compared a paperboy trying to get his two dollars. That, or (insert pop reference) chasing (insert pop reference) to get the (insert pop reference) before the (insert pop reference) falls off or explodes or (insert pop reference). This over abundance of knowledge being chucked at us willy-nilly, makes it very hard to put a value on info. Stories are only big until the next one comes along... which is now.

It is as if the constant influx of bloops and bleeps has shortened the shelf life of information, as well as the shelf life of the value of information. I can't imagine that there has ever been a point in time where people took this much pride in being the messenger. Passing on information is a fine, noble job, that is why it's the second oldest profession. The problem is that claiming ownership of the message is stealing... Perhaps, the third oldest profession? I know people that will talk about a new record is coming out with so much pride you would believe they recorded it. This hollow state of happiness can be easily snatched away with two simple words; "I Know". Why make history if you can dictate it, right? Seriously, it seems every time someone contacts me it is either to tell me something tedious about something insignificant or they are working their way through step 8. It isn't a big deal, it is just that we live in an age where people try and pass off Internet info as if it were their own thoughts. The Internet isn't an external hard drive for the brain. Not yet, anyway.

Everything you could ever want to know is right there in the magic box for the learnin'. All it takes is a small amount of diligence and perseverance to navigate through hundreds of millions of man-hours worth of ridiculous information. With so much nonsense to be sorted through, it is no wonder you spent half your day looking at funny videos of cats and Russians bungee jumping from bridges, I did too. How could anyone get anything done when all it takes is one typo in the ol' google search bar and the next three hours are spent "cool g.p.s." systems instead of figuring out if a university application process uses weighted "school GPA's". It happens.

Now, I am really not the most tech savvy cat. Quite frankly, every time I figure how and why something works, I realise that there are two better things that I will never understand. So, I know that I don't know. Moving on... 

A good start at to being more productive with less time on the Internet is to get an RSS feed reader. This little tool will keep one from wondering around aimlessly on from website to website. No more starting by looking for a new diet and ending up buying a backup tent in six clicks of the mouse. Websites are designed like like casinos: circular. No way out, just doors that lead to rooms with more doors. An RSS reader is a program which constantly gathers articles from predetermind websites. So if you like a particular site, just add it to the queue and when they publish new articles, they are sent to right to your desktop. These have been around for some time, so it may be old hat for some. If that is the case, good for you. Fact is; I know a lot of people that don't practice using an RSS feeder and it has gone on long enough. It seems like one of those things everybody should know, but doesn't. 

Have fun with that one. Use the time that saved you to put some pants on your kid. 

David