TMI – Too Much Information
This is what we used to say in school when someone would start telling us intimate details we didn't want to hear. Well it also means these days that we have an abundance of information coming at us in the "Information Age".
A good example of this are forums and blogs (interesting ones unlike this one). It's possible to start reading a forum and lose several hours and that doesn't include what happens if you actually participate. Add blogs and news and Twitter and Facebook with their constant chatter coupled with instant messages, emails, text messages and even the constant "alerts" on your computers and devices and it's very easy to see that we are bombarded with "information".
Many people are starting to revolt against this. Recently I was banned from a forum, AZ Billiards for debating too strenuously to put it nicely. I have a lot to say about just about everything but in particular subjects surrounding what I do. So I can get really heated and long winded quickly.
The problem is that this turns into a huge time sucking endeavor that degrades the quality of my life and those around me. And I am not alone. When in the middle of one of these "debates" I found myself checking AZB constantly, every few minutes to see if someone "said something" – it was a horrible feeling. I have never in my life been addicted to drugs but I imagine that it had to be something like that. So being banned has been actually a good thing as I skim through AZ now and can't jump into topics with my opinion. My wife is posting the cases we make for show and sell and I answer the questions she can't through her account. Works great so far. (She doesn't know anything about pool so she won't respond to anything negaitve and I won't ruin her fledgling reputation by jumping in under her name.)
It begins with thinking that what we have to say is important. It's not. Nothing I have to say is more important than living a quality life and taking care of business. My opinion on China, leather, case quality and gasp, cue protection, is meaningless when giving it detracts from being useful to myself and those who are counting on me.
So I am withdrawing from the world and making myself less accessible and certainly (hopefully) more productive. I get this idea from a great book called The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris. The premise in this book is that we all have more than enough time to get our work done, in fact we have enough time to get more work done than we are getting done now. The secret? Being diligently and selectively withdrawn from the deluge of distractions. Making yourself less available to every whim and everyone else's whims. The promise in the book is that if you can do this then you can live a much happier life by living as if you are retired now. Not really retired but that you can take more vacations and do all the things you have ever wanted to do while at the same time being more productive than you have ever been.
How many of you check your emails all the time? How many of you go into withdrawals when AZ Billiards or your favorite forum is down for ten minutes?
Here is a story for you;
One time this young reporter went to interview an 85 year old farmer about his life. They were into the conversation and the phone began to ring. The old man made no move to answer it or even acknowledge that it was ringing. The young reported couldn't stand it and asked the farmer if he was going to answer it. The wise farmer replied, "Son, I put that phone in for my convenience."
So I think that we should all remember that the internet exists for us to use for our convenience not for everyone's else's convenience to reach us. Don't allow yourself to be covered in "information". Turn it off until you want it. It's not going anywhere.
Well put John.
I have been away from AZ for a long while and really don't miss it. I like to see if you have any new cases out there and see if there are any good cues up for sale but the rest of it is worthless to me. I don't need the endless debate on APA or who did what to whom. If it wasn't me then why do I care.
Life is for living. You have a wonderful life and business. Live more, surf less!!
-Doug
TAP, TAP, TAP!
I too, have opted to greatly reduce my participation in that life-sucking source commonly known as the internet pool forum…all of them. When I do post, it is now in response to requested information or assistance. I am in no way an expert, but have learned a thing or two over the years…and don't mind sharing when asked. I have decided to stay away from the debates, as opinions are terribly subjective, and there will always be those individuals who look for every opportunity to push one's buttons solely for the purpose of being able to do so.
People also seem to continue to think that the persona behind the keyboard is that of the person in the real world. While this can often be the case, I have found that it is also equally not the case…and have forged friendships with those that I, in earlier years, may not have 'played' well with…judging a book by it's cover and all. ;)
I am a sucker for 'eye candy'…always have been, and that is likely the main reason I will visit from time to time. It's also interesting to see the tastes some have in their cues and cases; much of it good, others leaving you just scratching your head…LoL! It's like looking at the neat new cars out on the market…can't own them all.
I do not want to spend my life with a monitor or keyboard in my face. I remember what life was like before all this technology came along…I spent more time out doing, instead of sitting in front of a screen talking about doing. Both my life and my game have begun improving as a result…and that is a good thing! :0)
Lisa