Comments on: Zen and the Art of Attention http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:49:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Web Worker Daily » Archive How to Be a Stress-free Web Worker « http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-293874 Web Worker Daily » Archive How to Be a Stress-free Web Worker « Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:30:25 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-293874 [...] too much of it can add to your personal tension and stress. When you take in more than you should, it consumes your time and attention, which can be better spent on relaxing activities. An hour of reading trivial RSS feeds could be [...] [...] too much of it can add to your personal tension and stress. When you take in more than you should, it consumes your time and attention, which can be better spent on relaxing activities. An hour of reading trivial RSS feeds could be [...]

]]> By: James Governor’s Monkchips » links for 2007-06-18 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-92085 James Governor’s Monkchips » links for 2007-06-18 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:27:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-92085 [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Zen and the Art of Attention « i saw a presentation recently about how people that practice Yoga are able to take in more information, because they don’t obsess that they might miss something, if for example you flash up a series of numbers on a screen. What if continual partial atten (tags: attention culture yoga) [...] [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Zen and the Art of Attention « i saw a presentation recently about how people that practice Yoga are able to take in more information, because they don’t obsess that they might miss something, if for example you flash up a series of numbers on a screen. What if continual partial atten (tags: attention culture yoga) [...]

]]> By: Calvin Spealman http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-89186 Calvin Spealman Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:26:15 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-89186 I have never caught up with all my unread feed items over the last year, at least. I got upset about being behind at first, but now I just consider it a nice buffer for a rainy day. I keep up with whats current, and if I don't have time and miss something, I wouldn't have the time to blog about it or really consume it in the first place. I have never caught up with all my unread feed items over the last year, at least. I got upset about being behind at first, but now I just consider it a nice buffer for a rainy day. I keep up with whats current, and if I don’t have time and miss something, I wouldn’t have the time to blog about it or really consume it in the first place.

]]> By: links for 2007-06-15 | mad dog in the fog http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-88767 links for 2007-06-15 | mad dog in the fog Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:31:34 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-88767 [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Zen and the Art of Attention « Different theories out there for dealing with information overload (tags: productivity) [...] [...] Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Zen and the Art of Attention « Different theories out there for dealing with information overload (tags: productivity) [...]

]]> By: Library clips http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-88193 Library clips Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:09:03 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-88193 <strong>The many aspects of attention</strong> A while back I posted about RSS Smarts in coping with information overload, an aspect of RSS productivity is making it more managable, from this we work out a way to consume information in the most productive way eg. read feeds in email and IM, on you... The many aspects of attention

A while back I posted about RSS Smarts in coping with information overload, an aspect of RSS productivity is making it more managable, from this we work out a way to consume information in the most productive way eg. read feeds in email and IM, on you…

]]> By: Anne Zelenka http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87343 Anne Zelenka Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:15:17 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87343 Yes, cows can be a bit empty-headed. Maybe we don't want to model our intellectual lives after them. Anyway, it's a metaphor only, and isn't that a funny picture of that cow looking into the clear blue sky? ;) @Rationalpsychic, @David Harper, maybe I'll do a part 2 of this in the future and explore some of the other issues of present moment awareness as well as pull some other Zen sayings out of my pasture. @Nathan: going naked, without a laptop, not sure I'm ready for that! But seems like an excellent way to really get benefit out of a conference -- be totally present for what's happening there instead of what's online. Yes, cows can be a bit empty-headed. Maybe we don’t want to model our intellectual lives after them. Anyway, it’s a metaphor only, and isn’t that a funny picture of that cow looking into the clear blue sky? ;)

@Rationalpsychic, @David Harper, maybe I’ll do a part 2 of this in the future and explore some of the other issues of present moment awareness as well as pull some other Zen sayings out of my pasture.

@Nathan: going naked, without a laptop, not sure I’m ready for that! But seems like an excellent way to really get benefit out of a conference — be totally present for what’s happening there instead of what’s online.

]]> By: Nathan Braun http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87033 Nathan Braun Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:37:01 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87033 I went to SXSW this year "naked"-- that is to say, without a laptop. (I mean, it's not like it mattered, there were sponsored 'boutique PC kiosks' around every other corner...I think Google had some?) But I have to say: I haven't felt more relieved--or I should say, ALIVE; or excited-- in years* *This phenomenon *may* have had something to do with the dozen or so open bar parties every night. *Except during those years, of course, when I taught English in Korea, 2003-2004, when on every block there was a $2 "PC bang" where I could check my email and catch up on other little stuff. Life hasn't been the same since!!) *Could this be a symptom of...dare I say it?... AFFLUENZA??? God I hope not! :) I toyed with the idea of wearing a "Fuck the Web" shirt to the next Southby (SXSW). I didn't think the blogerati would like that very much. Pity. I went to SXSW this year “naked”– that is to say, without a laptop.

(I mean, it’s not like it mattered, there were sponsored ’boutique PC kiosks’ around every other corner…I think Google had some?)

But I have to say:
I haven’t felt more relieved–or I should say, ALIVE; or excited– in years*

*This phenomenon *may* have had something to do with the dozen or so open bar parties every night.

*Except during those years, of course, when I taught English in Korea, 2003-2004, when on every block there was a $2 “PC bang” where I could check my email and catch up on other little stuff. Life hasn’t been the same since!!)

*Could this be a symptom of…dare I say it?… AFFLUENZA??? God I hope not! :) I toyed with the idea of wearing a “Fuck the Web” shirt to the next Southby (SXSW). I didn’t think the blogerati would like that very much. Pity.

]]> By: shilohautumn http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87029 shilohautumn Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:18:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87029 Unless you like to read an awful lot, and not allow much time for processing it, it only makes sense to go for more depth than breadth once in awhile. In other words, pause to think. Though I sure do like the picture image of a cow in a bigger pasture. Always did like a little breathing-room myself, and panoramic country views. But the cows I've known - and that's been a few - though contemplative-seeming creatures, can be a bit vacuous upstairs at times. Unless you like to read an awful lot, and not allow much time for processing it, it only makes sense to go for more depth than breadth once in awhile. In other words, pause to think. Though I sure do like the picture image of a cow in a bigger pasture. Always did like a little breathing-room myself, and panoramic country views. But the cows I’ve known – and that’s been a few – though contemplative-seeming creatures, can be a bit vacuous upstairs at times.

]]> By: rationalpsychic http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87016 rationalpsychic Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:35:15 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-87016 I liked the article and any argument that states our efforts are not attached to zero-sum games. However, I wish you would have taken the analogy a little further. If we don't seek to <i>control</i> the flow of info (which has it good points), how do we observe this flow and make ourselves part of it while realizing that it is also part of us? I've always been told that the breath is the focal point, but emptying your mind of "musts" and "shoulds" seems the overarching goal. I liked the article and any argument that states our efforts are not attached to zero-sum games. However, I wish you would have taken the analogy a little further. If we don’t seek to control the flow of info (which has it good points), how do we observe this flow and make ourselves part of it while realizing that it is also part of us? I’ve always been told that the breath is the focal point, but emptying your mind of “musts” and “shoulds” seems the overarching goal.

]]> By: Marshall Kirkpatrick http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86943 Marshall Kirkpatrick Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:10:54 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86943 couldnt agree more. 2k feeds and 4k unread gmails dont get me down in the slightest. great articulation of the strategy here couldnt agree more. 2k feeds and 4k unread gmails dont get me down in the slightest. great articulation of the strategy here

]]> By: David Harper http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86939 David Harper Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:04:48 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86939 Anne - You rock the blog stage, week in, week out. The Zen quote is funny and thoughtful, I look forward to grasping it. You imply you have other Zen sayings in your bag, would love a post on those Anne – You rock the blog stage, week in, week out. The Zen quote is funny and thoughtful, I look forward to grasping it. You imply you have other Zen sayings in your bag, would love a post on those

]]> By: Dave http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86887 Dave Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:59:13 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86887 <blockquote> I constantly gravitate to projects and people that I think offer the greatest opportunities for growth, which means constantly leaving other things behind. </blockquote> One of Rumsfeld's "rules" actually applies here as well: <blockquote cite="http://www.analects-ink.com/weekend/020308.html"> When you initiate new activities, find things you are currently doing that you can discontinue -- whether reports, activities, etc. It works, but you must force yourself to do it. Always keep in mind your “teeth-to-tail ratio.” </blockquote> I wonder if he kept his number of active items down to "seven, plus or minus two"? :)

I constantly gravitate to projects and people that I think offer the greatest opportunities for growth, which means constantly leaving other things behind.

One of Rumsfeld’s “rules” actually applies here as well:

When you initiate new activities, find things you are currently doing that you can discontinue — whether reports, activities, etc. It works, but you must force yourself to do it. Always keep in mind your “teeth-to-tail ratio.”

I wonder if he kept his number of active items down to “seven, plus or minus two”? :)

]]> By: Top Posts « WordPress.com http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86886 Top Posts « WordPress.com Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:59:05 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86886 [...] Zen and the Art of Attention [image]Conventional web wisdom (CWW) says we’re suffering from infomania and so we need to firewall our […] [...] [...] Zen and the Art of Attention [image]Conventional web wisdom (CWW) says we’re suffering from infomania and so we need to firewall our […] [...]

]]> By: Zen & the Art of Attention · Articles http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86797 Zen & the Art of Attention · Articles Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:37:02 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86797 [...] your nerves; or if you think you are feeling the information overload, it is time for you to under The Zen & The Art of Attention. Over on Web Worker Daily, Anne Zelenka has some counter intuitive [...] [...] your nerves; or if you think you are feeling the information overload, it is time for you to under The Zen & The Art of Attention. Over on Web Worker Daily, Anne Zelenka has some counter intuitive [...]

]]> By: ebrown http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86780 ebrown Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:05:24 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86780 In spite of all this, there are those who subscribe to the <a href="http://weirdblog.wordpress.com/2007/01/06/got-attention-deficit/" rel="nofollow">"Attention Economy"</a> as outlined in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attention-Economy-Understanding-Currency-Business/dp/1578518717/sr=8-1/qid=1168052054/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1525914-3172027?ie=UTF8&s=books" rel="nofollow">Harvard Business Press book</a> of the same name. Our 'attention demands' are constantly being bombarded and marketers and others look for ways to exploit it across all medias. This is a good resource for the consumer and every-day-webworker. Thanks, -Ebrown In spite of all this, there are those who subscribe to the “Attention Economy” as outlined in the Harvard Business Press book of the same name. Our ‘attention demands’ are constantly being bombarded and marketers and others look for ways to exploit it across all medias. This is a good resource for the consumer and every-day-webworker. Thanks, -Ebrown

]]> By: Gordon http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86731 Gordon Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:35:31 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/13/zen-and-the-art-of-attention/#comment-86731 It's a mind shift that is required here. I have over 1000 feeds pouring into Google Reader. I do not, and am comfortable with the fact that I will never, read them all. But if I decide to pursue a thought or notion, I know I can start there and have a lot of the research already done. Learning to ignore that 'unread items' count is the hardest part, and one thing I find amazing is how few of these applications let you turn that OFF. If I don't "care" how many unread items are in a folder then.. stop telling me! As for deciding which 20% you should be reading, well sometimes the gem is linking two items in that 80% and realising they could take you somewhere interesting, that's what keeps my RSS feed count so high, even if I do ignore most of it. It’s a mind shift that is required here.

I have over 1000 feeds pouring into Google Reader. I do not, and am comfortable with the fact that I will never, read them all. But if I decide to pursue a thought or notion, I know I can start there and have a lot of the research already done.

Learning to ignore that ‘unread items’ count is the hardest part, and one thing I find amazing is how few of these applications let you turn that OFF. If I don’t “care” how many unread items are in a folder then.. stop telling me!

As for deciding which 20% you should be reading, well sometimes the gem is linking two items in that 80% and realising they could take you somewhere interesting, that’s what keeps my RSS feed count so high, even if I do ignore most of it.

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