Week 3 Learning Journal Post

Credit to Chris Allen for finding this awesome image. Leave the computer and come back a day or two later, only to find 500+ RSS feeds, not to mention whatever else is piling up. Even without a pressing reason to read them over, my desire to stay up to date, along with the stress that I might be falling behind, gives my a heart flutter. And not that good flutter we all know and love either.

My new practice. Scan - Focus - Act

First. Take a deep breath. I don't have to choose between reading everything and deleting everything. Just scan the list and star the ones that seem to be worth a second look.

Second. Take another run thru and read the ones that look interesting. Decide whether to bookmark them to Delicious, share with a friend, or share them using Google Reader's star, like and share features. Spend time on what is of value to me right now, in this moment. Save or ditch the rest.

Third. Delete the rest, and have a fabulous day.

Hmmm. This scan approach really puts a lot of focus on enticing headlines, titles, and lead sentences.

To follow up on a couple of suggested topics for this post...

1. Questions, Ideas??? Sometimes we get an instruction like "invite people to your blog" or "share and comment on other student's Delicious links". It would sure help if tasks came with instructions (especially given how many assignments we must complete in so few days). I imagine each of us is struggling with, and discovering tricks and tips about the services on our own, some more successfully than others. What could we create that would be an effective, inviting, and short way to help each other out? Or, maybe better, can we find and share existing resources that do a great job?

2. Quotes from readings or the wll eereb..I'd be happy to lead a discussion about our own feelings and experiences of what is too much tech, or inappropriate tech. A few example quotes on the topic of tech addiction...

Tweeting before bed and accessing Facebook the moment you wake is indicative of obsessive compulsion.

* If you find yourself paying more attention to your Blackberry than your dinner companion, you may have a problem. New research suggests that as technology addiction takes hold, our ability to empathise diminishes.

* A genuine feeling of panic when your phone loses its signal or runs out of battery may indicate the beginnings of a dependency, psychologists say.

Retrieved from: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/tech-addict-when-you-just-cant-switch-off-2006769.html

Here is a quote backed by scientists, though science doesn't add anything new in this case. This describes my experience to a T. I am aware that it is a bit of a problem. Is that so bad?

According to New York Times article, Scientists say "our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information. These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored." Richtel, M (2010, June 6 Web 2.0 Expo, New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html

(edited a bit)