Tag Archives: media

The Myth Of Information Overload

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Categories: Musings
info_overload

I’ve heard a lot about information overload lately and how it’s killing our productivity. How we get analysis by paralysis or are all suffering from A.D.D. In short, this notion is absolutely ridiculous.

I can understand that some people may have trouble adapting to the sudden influx of information readily available to us, but the problem isn’t too much information, the problem is we don’t know what to do with it.

More importantly, it’s become clear that information is going to continue growing exponentially and become more and more accessible.

So how can information overload be a myth? Because we are now beginning to understand how to handle all of this information in two clear ways.

1. Organization Of Information

With the exponential increase in information, there was no real way to organize it, which was the first major challenge encountered.

Now, we’ve started to create structures and filters around our information in the form of reviews and curators and search engines, all of which make it easier to both filter and access the information we NEED.

This is the key point – there has always been a lot of information available, but all of a sudden we had access to all of it through the internet.

As we further develop tools and platforms, the organization of this information allows us to use it much more effectively and efficiently.

2. Adaptation To Information

The second piece of the puzzle is adapting to the new standard of information surplus, which I believe the next generation will be masters at.

For example, just look at how a kid does homework nowadays. Music is blasting, the TV is on, they’re texting their friends, and browsing Facebook – all while writing a paper on American History or doing Calculus homework.

They’ve adapted and embraced the excess information at such a young age that the idea of information overload becomes laughable.

It’s clear that information will continue to grow, but our organization of it and adaptation to it, makes the thought of information overload a myth.

Image Source: http://bit.ly/10lxN3g

Education 2.0

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Categories: EDU + GOOD Musings
Brain

As the cost of education continues to rise and the efficiency of our current learning models in question,  we are seeing a growing number of alternative solutions to the more traditional forms of education. This is part of the Education 2.0 revolution that we are watching develop everyday.

The following is a preliminary list of Education 2.0 resources available to everyone online. This is only a small segment of such resources, but I hope to expand this in the coming years. Check them out below!

Virtual Classrooms

These platforms are the most comprehensive education efforts to date, which are not only delivering information, but integrating learning opportunities through exercises and applied learning.

Web Video/Audio

Although not as engaging as virtual classrooms, these organizations provide a wealth of high quality lectures ranging from thought leaders to the most prestigious of institutions.

Open Reference

You can find anything on the internet and these are typically the first places to look when you want to know how to do or learn anything you could think of.

Programming/Software

Probably the most engaged community in the future of education is that of hackers and technologists that are fully willing to embrace this change. Here you’ll find resources catered to these early adopters.

Languages

Learning languages online is also a growing trend, as several platforms have tailored the key foundations required for language mastery in an online environment.

Teaching Supplements

Technology is not only revolutionizing the education system, but also supplementing it and these are some great resources for teachers and classrooms.

Games/Interactive

I fully believe that games are the next step for education and that this particular area of the education revolution will be the most exciting in years to come.

Keep a look out as I’ll be continually updating this list to add more and more resources that are part of the education revolution.

The Secret Powers of Time

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Categories: Media

In this lecture, Professor Phili Zimbardo explains how our individual perspectives of time affect our work, health, and well-being. According to Zimbardo, there are six ways to perceive time:

  • Past Positive: Looking at the past as the good old times
  • Past Negative: Looking at the past as a time filled with regrets
  • Present Hedonistic: Maximizing immediate pleasure & minimizing pain
  • Present Fated: Things happen because of circumstances
  • Future Oriented: Working to succeed in the future & resisting temptation
  • Future Fated: Focused on the afterlife

Check out the video below.

Time clearly influences who we are as people, how we view our relationships, and how we act in the world.

Art, Technology, and Design

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Categories: Media

John Maeda, President of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), delivered a memorable TED Talk focused around the areas of art, design, technology, and their role in leadership. Check it out below.

Start with Why: The Foundation of Business

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Categories: Media
why

I recently re-watched one of my favorite TED Talks: How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek. In it, Simon introduces us to a very simple concept he calls the Golden Circle (above) and a very simple message, Start with WHY.

So what is the Golden Circle? Essentially it breaks down into three areas, starting from the middle and moving outwards:

Why = your purpose, your beliefs
How = your value proposition
What = your product

The Why (your beliefs) is what resonates most with your most loyal consumers and fans. It is this approach, starting with why, that separates Apple from every other consumer device company out there right now.

It sounds simple and obvious, but then why are there so many poor products and businesses out there today? So just a reminder, whenever you start something, be sure to first think about the Why and let that lead the way.

Check out the full talk below.

Newsroom: America The Disappointing

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Categories: Media
Wake Up America by Jacquelin Bond

I recently watched the opening scene of Newsroom, which started with a no-nonsense monologue about America, where we are and where we were. Check it out below, it’s pretty epic.

I find it ironic that a TV show, something that I feel has brainwashed many people into apathy (to an extent), is the medium for this message, rather than say our leaders or the media, who all seem to be more focused on being right or left, democratic or republican. A point well demonstrated in the scene above.

Despite the irony, I can’t help but agree with the overall message. I only hope that our generation, the people, can come together to take us back to the good old days, because right now, the government appears to be broken.

Failure, Introverts, Happiness & Mistakes

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Categories: Media Musings

The following are four recent TED Talks that I loved on a range of topics that are all very intriguing.

1. Why We Will Fail To Have Great Careers

This talk by Larry Smith at TEDxUW explores why of us will fall short in accomplishing our goals.

2. The Power of Introverts

Susan Cain explains the power and value of introverts, something often overlooked in society.

3. The Happy Secret to Better Work

Shawn Achor tells how to be happier and work better in this talk from TEDxBloomington.

4. There Are No Mistakes on the Bandstand

Mistakes have no place on the bandstand with Stefon Harris via TED.

Enjoy!

The Companies Behind 90% of Media

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Categories: Media Musings

The following infographic is pretty eye-opening, as it shows you the ‘illusion of choice‘ we have when it comes to our media outlets.The simple fact that 6 companies control 90% of the media in the U.S. is baffling to say the least. Does it matter?

The Social Good Summit This Week

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Categories: Media Musings
Social_Good_Summit_2011_logo_1200

The Social Good Summit presented by Mashable, 92Y and the UN Foundation starts today and if you’re interested you should check out the Livestream of the conference.

Here’s an excerpt of what the Summit is all about:

The Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our greatest challenges. It ignites conversations between a live audience in New York City and thousands around the world participating via Livestream.

The most innovative technologists, influential minds and passionate activists will come together this September with one shared goal: to unlock the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place.

Some of the speakers include Desmond Tutu, Dr. Muhammed Yunus, Randi Zuckerberg, and more.

It’ll be streaming live starting today, Monday September 19th until Thursday September 22nd, from 1 PM – 5 PM (est), so be sure to check it out.

Link: http://livestre.am/870

Sunday’s Top Links (5.1.2011)

In this week’s links gain insight into what Malcolm Gladwell reads, see how video games are changing education, watch an interview with Tina Fey, realize the power of bribery for getting things done, and uncover the bigger issues with smart phone data tracking.

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Author:
Categories: Sunday's Links
mario-chess

Welcome to this week’s top links!

1. Malcolm Gladwell: What I Read

Ever wonder what kind of media Malcolm Gladwell consumes? Well in this series called Media Diet from the Atlantic Wire, we get insights into Gladwell’s media consumption, as well as several others, such as Eric Schmidt, Clay Shirky, and more.

2. Bill Gates on Education & Games

Video Games as a solution for education has been a growing trend of late, and Bill Gates is clearly pushing the trend forward. In this article from Fast Company we see how video games are taking a bigger role in the re-design of education for the future.

3. Eric Schmidt Interviews Tina Fey

Eric Schmidt recently interviewed Tina Fey at Google HQ to discuss her new book, comedy, and life. It’s a good interview with some great advice from Tina Fey, and Eric Schmidt was a surprisingly good interviewer.

4. Problems With Procrastination? Try Bribery

There’s a few different ways to overcome procrastination: habit, fear, deadlines, but incentives or bribery is apparently the trendy solution. In this article from Fortune, we look at how properly framed incentives can get us to act.

5. The Spy In Your Pocket

I’m sure everyone has heard about the iPhone tracking scandal by now, but this article from the Economist dives deeper into the issue touching on the responses from Apple and Steve Jobs, the real problems, and the possibility of similar problems on the Android OS.

Also, if you missed last week’s links, check them out here.