- Podcast: Youtube
- Host: Adam Grant
Show Notes
Meaning of Achieving One’s True Potential
Writing…
Management of Uncertainty & Failure
Writing…
Information Abundance and the Skill of Synthesis
The speaker discusses the problem of over consumption of information in the modern age. In the past, humans were information scavengers, but now they are information foragers in a world with a permanent 24-hour buffet, where they can never leave. There was a limited period of time where optimal information was available, but now there is an overwhelming amount.
Here are some of the key points regarding over consumption of information:
- Humans are now in a world with an abundance of information and struggle with attention. The speaker notes that it is easy to get distracted and feel frustrated because people can’t hold on to information, as there is so much available.
- Filtering information is a vital skill in the modern age. The ability to set boundaries on what is consumed, raise filters, and block out information that is redundant, overwhelming, or poor quality is crucial.
- Critical ignoring is becoming more important as people are bombarded with more and more information. Being able to discern what to immediately not pay attention to, discount, or dismiss is a vital skill.
- The speaker says that it used to be the dot collectors who were rewarded, but now it is the dot connectors who are more valuable .
- There is a premium on the ability to synthesize information and connect the dots, as well as zoom in on what is important.
- People have not lost the ability to pay attention, but there is a lack of motivation to pay attention. With many distractions, it is difficult to focus on one thing for a long period of time.
- The skill of “Symphony” is now rewarded, which is the ability to arrange disparate “musical notes” into a harmony or melody.
The speaker suggests that people need to learn how to filter out information, discern what to pay attention to, and connect the dots to make sense of the world.