The ability to consume information is easier than it has ever been in history. We consume information so readily and passively that we barely have the chance to grasp and internalize the information. But we love it. It feels good, like we are accomplishing something. We read, read and read, hoping that we will soak up that knowledge. If this describes you, well you may be a Consumption Whore. Here are a few signs of being a Consumption Whore:
- You are continually stressed out by your Google Reader and you fight so hard to keep the item count low. “OMG, it say’s ‘1000+’ articles to read, what will I do?!?!?!”
- You buy more books than you actually read.
- When you do read a book it’s like race to the finish.
- Every tweet, Facebook update and email has to be read and responded to ASAP!!!
This was me at one point and still is to a certain degree. I, and so many others have an obsession with consuming information, to a point that we never DO anything (which is the whole point of the information: making things happen with your new found knowledge). Action is the only way we grow as people, whether it be personally or professionally. Sure reading and consuming information is great, but if that’s all we do we are just spinning our wheels and pretending we know a lot.
I have now learned that information is great and learning from others is a good idea, but only so much can be accomplished through reading about another persons experience. Andrew Norcross say’s it best:
So think about what you do. Or what you want to do. What you’re building, shooting for in life. I bet there are some folks in that space who are well known. Keynote-level people. Stop hanging on their every word. Stop sharing everything they scribble onto a page. Stop trying to be them. If you’re going to study anything about them, look at their work ethic, not their particular methods. Because they worked hard to get where they are. There isn’t a silver bullet that will get you there. Nor will reading the latest guru book. It’s working your ass off, and actually doing good work that pays off in the end.
But…
I owe a lot to the information I’ve consumed, even the stuff I consumed passively. Sure I may preach DOING, CREATING, BUILDING now, but it took me a long time to get to this position. I could have never been comfortable or confident enough to write this blog, interact and meet new people, and start personal projects if it wasn’t for everything I’ve learned through blogs and books. I’ve learned SO MUCH from the blogosphere and read some tremendous books that I consumed at times passively, mindlessly and without retaining large chunks (which is the reasons I’m re-reading many books). But the accumulative knowledge was still extremely valuable. The hunt for knowledge and hunger to learn new things is what spurred the consumption. This hunger to learn is now an asset that I will carry throughout life.
So maybe being a Consumption Whore is just part of the evolution of an extraordinary person. Maybe it’s just the first stage on the path to greatness. Maybe it’s a stepping stone that leads to bigger and better things. I know my attitude is completely different now that I’ve burned out on consuming. I want to start applying all the cool things I’ve learned. I’m ready now, where as before the consuming I would not have had the confidence or resiliency to take Action and see a project through.
““OMG, it say’s ’1000+’ articles to read, what will I do?!?!?!””
Not 1000, more like 427 to be exact. Ha. No, i’m really glad someone posted something like this because this was what I was feeling like for a while. I always tell my friends that everything is so opensource these days that it doesn’t take much to pick up a new trade or skill using the blogsphere. I found myself diving into all types of blogs, and trying to learn everything about everything. Which, was the wrong answer. Took a lil time but now I only read what applys to my industry, character, and current projects. Thats where my focus will be until my next project :-).
Awesome article Sir. Do it up!
It’s just so damn easy to find information. The trick I’ve learned to realize the posts that you don’t need to read or are mediocre and identify the real gems. It takes practice, but skipping unnecessary information is a real time saver.
Cameron,
Awesome post. I am a consumption whore, but there is nothing wrong with it unless you don’t use what you read in your life. Great Point! When I read a blog post I try to relay it back to my life to see how it could benefit me, in my own life. I think you should of added this to your post: There are 3 people in this world. People who take action, people who look at the other people take action, and people who wondered what happen. Either way, good job man!
Good addition William.
Great post, Cameron.
I remember complaining in a mid-level philosophy class about all the reading we had to do.
“Why do we have to read all these theories, then read why these theories are wrong, read new theories, then read why these new theories are wrong, ad infinitum…” If I am not mistaken, “Why can’t we just use what he have today to make more relevant theories?”
Dr. Kimmel was a succinct man. He said, and I’m only loosely paraphrasing here, “if you don’t know shit about the past, how the fuck will you be able to construct a theory worth reading in the future.” Great man, that Kimmel.
I guess consumers shouldn’t just be told to be doers, they should be taught to be doers. Or, alternatively, they should be allowed to grow from the learner to the doer to the sage.
Best,
CG
I had a professor say something similar as well. Something like, “before you can change the world, you have to know how it works now.” That’s why a healthy dose of consumption is crucial. But at some point the returns from accumulating more knowledge diminishes. And what’s the point if you don’t make a change and take action?
Thanks for you comment Craig.
Hey Cameron,
Honestly at first I was offended by your article wanna know why?… I found out that Im a consumption whore (dont really like the term but wtv) Ive been reading 3 to 5 books at a time about becoming successful, coaching, making money, etc.(my brain is going nuts with so much information.) Thing is I used to live in Dallas, TX but I moved to Mexico City (thats where Im originally from) things were pretty good over there business wise, but here, I have no clue where to start and Ive been afraid of doing so. You are right its all about taking actions… I’ll learn as I go. Im ready now
Thanks for your article, it might be the last one I read for a long time.
Glad I could confront your conventional wisdom and rethink things. That’s exactly my intent when writing a post like this one.
You are ready! Go for whatever you want. You’ll figure it out as you go.
I am definitely a Consumption Whore, but I think I’m coming to the point where consuming only makes me take action more effectively. Like you, I’ve learned so much from the blogosphere. I’d even wager I’ve had a greater education using the internet than a lot of folks going to a brick and mortar school.
Ultimately, it’s about taking action and we’re all capable of it.
I think we are both at that stage where addition information doesn’t makes us heavier, but more effective like you said. That’s really the sweet spot. but it takes work to get to that place. Blogs for me are the best way to gain competency in something. I agree, I definitely learned more from the blogosphere than my college education. Said but true.
Yikes, I have to admit, I don’t use Google reader or any RSS.
I’m ready baby! Yakezie dot com is shaping up and I’m hard at work!
“So maybe being a Consumption Whore is just part of the evolution of an extraordinary person”
I think this is definitely true. Nietzsche said that a person’s life could be divided into three stages: the camel, the lion, and the child. The camel is the first stage, and that’s basically a stage of acquiring and assimilating information. The more knowledge you acquire, the greater your ability to understand the world.
The problem is that a lot of people just get stuck at this stage–continually reading and memorizing the ideas of others and parroting them off. As you point out, knowledge can only benefit you so much; at some point you have to actually start DOING things, which is how you begin to develop your own individuality.
Osho, a 20th-century philosopher/mystic, articulates this concept pretty well:
“The camel is the larva; the camel is a hoarder. But if you are stuck at that stage and always remain a camel,then you will not know the beauties and the benedictions of life…The camel can assimilate the past but cannot use It. In the course of his personal development the time comes when the camel has to become the lion…The lion is a reaction, a rebellion against the camel. The individual now discovers his own inner light as the ultimate source of all authentic values. He becomes aware of his primary obligation to his own inner creativity, to his inmost hidden potential.”
Great post!
This comment is a great addition to my post. I appreciate comments like yours Sean!