Baited Hooks for the eye and mind; there is no nourishment to be had there, and no small risk for open, inquiring minds.

With the torn lips from getting caught too many times recently, I worked up a little exercise to navigate our treacherous, infohazardous landscape.

The 5-point Infodiet Rundown

This helped me regain focus. It might help you, too.

Time on task: 10-15 minutes. The first answer provided by your other-than-conscious processes is usually right, or near enough.

1. Audit: Do a rough recollection.

• Think over all the media touch points you've engaged with this week. (Generally is fine.)
• How long ago was it made?

2. Assess: For each item, estimate:

• How long it took to make.
• How long it took you to engage with it.

3. Analyse: Everything changes, in time.

• What, if anything, changed your understanding on a subject or issue you regard as important.
• What, specifically, you think you'll remember one month from now.

4. Action: What you did with it, or will do next.

• Which items of media enabled further action, or the solving of a specific problem, or the creation of more delight in the world?
• Of the content you remember that contributed to building cloud castles – whether owned, or rented – which were aspirational, and which had a negative valence?

5. Contextualise: From a step back, the frame, within which your intellectual project is displayed.

• What are the most critical texts for you, for the formation of your worldview and understanding?
• What you would recommend to others, especially younger people – or your younger self?

For each of these, take a moment to note the delta, and if anything arises from this comparison.

There's no mystic arcanum or grand reveal here, beyond “we are what we eat”.

Is your media diet really providing the nourishment to support what you are doing?

If not, what needs to change?

#tool #technology #media #exercise