The podcast discusses the exhaustion of staying informed, the quest for Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper, the acquisition of Deadspin, Discord's gamification, the U.S. House voting on TikTok, email etiquette, computer vs. phone communication, and the importance of critical ignoring in the digital age.
Critical ignoring helps filter out low-quality online content to focus on valuable information.
Information overload leads to attention scarcity, requiring intentional ignorance to focus on critical issues.
Deep dives
Importance of Critical Ignoring for Digital Citizens
Critical ignoring is discussed as a crucial skill for navigating the overwhelming amount of online information. The concept emphasizes the need to filter out low-quality or irrelevant content to focus on valuable information. Engaging in critical ignoring allows individuals to focus on important topics and avoid getting derailed by distractions. It serves as a strategic approach to managing the abundance of online data while enhancing one's ability to discern quality information.
Impact of Information Overload on Attention
The podcast delves into how information overload leads to a scarcity of attention among individuals. The constant influx of data from various sources presents a challenge as individuals struggle to allocate their attention effectively. The surplus of information results in a limited capacity to focus on critical issues, prompting the need for intentional ignorance to sift through the noise. Focusing on relevant content becomes essential in combating the overwhelming nature of online data.
Role of Lateral Reading in Information Evaluation
The discussion highlights the significance of lateral reading in assessing the credibility of online information. By employing lateral reading techniques, individuals can verify the reliability of content by cross-referencing information from multiple sources. This approach helps in identifying misleading or biased sources, particularly in areas like climate change or scientific claims. Lateral reading serves as a practical strategy to navigate the complexities of online information and make informed judgments.
Tools and Strategies for Digital Citizenship
The podcast emphasizes the importance of digital citizenship and the skills needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively. By leveraging critical ignoring, lateral reading, and intentional ignorance, individuals can enhance their ability to process and evaluate online information. These strategies empower digital citizens to make informed decisions, combat misinformation, and engage meaningfully with digital content. Developing these competencies is vital in today's information-rich environment for fostering responsible online behavior.
Hans wonders why ‘being informed’ is so exhausting, and if there’s anything he can do about it (short answer: sorta) and a few members of the Never Post team discuss “important emails”. Also: the hunt for Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper continues.
Never Post’s producers are Audrey Evans, Georgia Hampton and The Mysterious Dr. Firstname Lastname. Our senior producer is Hans Buetow. Our executive producer is Jason Oberholtzer. The show’s host is Mike Rugnetta.