Information enema

Is RSS contributing to information overload? Some people seem to feel that it is and along with eliminating other things on life could be of help.

During the month of April, I gave myself an information enema.

I finally stopped complaining about the media I was consuming, and started taking responsibility for my data diet.

Here’s what I did:

* I figured out how to fully operate my DVR and now I watch only pre-recorded shows and live sports. On Sunday nights, I take a quick look at the week ahead and program anything that is not already set to be recorded. I’m already finding new favorites, and old friends. I haven’t watched two partisan hacks yelling stupid things back and forth to each other for a month, and it feels great.

* I used to be a voracious fiction reader, but let the habit drop. Now, I set aside some budget money for books on tape. I keep an old cassette player in the car, and catch up on classics. It’s amazing the ways in which fiction expands your mind. I will never again let that habit die.

* I deleted every single subcription from my Bloglines account and picked a new reading list filled with feeds that help me laugh, learn, or grow. I find the ones I truly love are what I call the “Humble Seekers,” epitomized by Merlin Mann and Lifehacker. I feel great eavesdropping on smart, but selfless people trying to get a little better every day…. Source: Mr.Sun