Bit literacy: agreement to action

Jun 8, 2006

I've spoken at several recent events about bit literacy, and while only a few in the audience are generally ready to take the plunge and move their todos to Gootodo.com, almost everyone agrees with the basic premise. There's too much information and not enough time to get through it all.

The solution offered by bit literacy might sound a bit obvious: if there's too much information and a fixed amount of time available, then reduce the amount of information. (After all, we can't increase the amount of time available.)

Reduce the amount of information. Or, more elegantly, let the bits go.

But that's easier said than done. Everyone agrees in theory, but the disconnect between agreement and action usually shows up during the question-and-answer section of the talk. Invariably someone raises their hand and asks, "Can I get an RSS feed for my todo list?" or "Can I see data on how many todos are coming up in the future?" or suggests some other new bitstream.

When people see the reduced amount of information in Gootodo - showing only the todos you need to do today, and hiding everything else - I think it's a bit of a shock. We've grown so accustomed to infinite bitstreams that flow over us, distract us, allow for endless tweaking and twiddling, assure us all the while that we're being productive, tell us we're busy and important and high-tech and on top of the world... what happens when we're asked to let them go?

Bits are addicting. The tools and devices feeding the bit-habit don't want us to kick the habit. But if we don't take control of our bits, we shouldn't ask why we feel overloaded all the time.

Also see:
•Introduction to bit literacy
•Reboot talk summary
•Gootodo.com, my bit-literate todo list

• IN: Bit Literacy
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