The Attention Crash, a recent post on Steve Rubel’s blog, Micro Persuasion, addressed the struggle to absorb all of the information coming at us. Here is one part of his post:

We are reaching a point where the number of inputs we have as individuals is beginning to exceed what we are capable as humans of managing. The demands for our attention are becoming so great, and the problem so widespread, that it will cause people to crash and curtail these drains.

This isn’t a new topic; I’ve commented many times about the need to find balance in work/life situations. Most recently, I said that the new online social networking sites are adding to the demand for my time and attention–and I will choose how to spend that time based on value back to me–along with my level of emotional energy.

I left a comment on Steve’s post, pointing out that people not only look for more efficient ways to handle the flood of information and commentary coming their way; they also seek ways to take a ”mental break” from the activity. That’s part of the allure of computer games like Solitaire and both paper- and electronic versions of Sudoku. I checked back sometime later and left a second comment that led to this post.

We have to remember that it isn’t enough to manage the side of our brain that processes data. We also need to balance that activity with the side of our brain that is intuitive and creative.

To that end, here is a conversation string that I and Judy Gombita shared recently. I read her messages and replied during mental breaks, and the fun exchanges sharpened my creative thinking somewhat. If you need a break from your information processing, feel free to add to the string as a comment to this post.

(Me) Will be tied up most of today with some internal desk shuffling (we’re moving desks and cube walls around). Of course, everyone checked each time to see who had the window, and now, everyone hates me.

(Judy) What a sad cube tale. I don’t hate you, although now I’m a little afraid to meet you, knowing you are “the guy with the window.”
(I have a window, but it looks directly out to the wall of the building next to us. Those churlish people have not painted me a mural as yet.)

(Me) I’ll ship some taggers (graffiti artists) up your way. The wall will get colorful very quickly.
Don’t fear me because I have a window; fear me if I close the door to my soul.—Anonymous

(Judy) The one with a window can see opportunities. But an open-door policy sometimes leads to a drafty soul.—Confusdcious

(Me) The glass window lets in the light. The glass ceiling keeps out the bright.—Oparahparah

(Judy) Star light, star bright. Sometimes the moon goddess must tail behind the mighty Tom kite.—Concededefeaticus

Any others?

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pm and is filed under General, blogging, communications. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.