My technology addiction (plus Fred Rogers on information overload and the importance of silence)

If you’re reading this newsletter you’re likely a fan of technology, like me. I’ve clicked more like/digg buttons than most, and I’m addicted to the constant stream of incoming information.

Professionally, this craving for new information has many positive benefits. Staying informed helps me form internal opinions, which help shape my investment decisions. Testing the latest apps gives me inspiration and best practices when building new products. But, of course, too much of anything comes at a cost.

In taking some time to step away and reflect (hello from New York), it’s now clear to me that this constant information onslaught creates a craving for new stimulation. Ride a subway car, wait in a line or walk down the street and you’ll notice almost everyone is unaware of their surroundings. Heads-down, face-in-phone, looking for that next hit of information.

I’m no saint, I myself still struggle with this. My wife lovingly reminds me to put away the phone at dinner and nudges me to put away the laptop if it’s too late at night. I’m slowly introducing new measures to give myself technology breaks during the day and at night (more on that in a coming newsletter).

As part of this quest to figure out proper balance I’ve begun researching teachers that lived in the present moment, looking for their sage advice.

Enter: Mr. Rogers. At first glance, it seems silly. I mean, he’s a children’s television show host (oddly enough, I didn’t watch his television show as a child). But I believe Mr. Rogers was one of the enlightened ones, a person that tapped into the present moment.

I recently stumbled across this video which was recorded in 1995 and 1997 (two Charlie Rose interviews with Fred Rogers, spliced together). It’s important to remember this was pre-mainstream internet, pre-iPhone!

Mr. Rogers (speaking about the importance of silence):

“I don’t think we give that gift anymore (the gift of silence). I’m very concerned that our society is much more interested in information than wonder. In noise, rather than silence…how do we encourage reflection? Oh my, this is a noisy world.” “I get up every morning at least by 5AM. I have a couple hours of quiet time, reflect about what it is important.” “What can we do, to encourage people to have more quiet in their lives, more silence? Real revelation comes through silence.”

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did. If you have other wisdom you’d like to share, please respond to this email with links. Now, back to techmeme…

Mr Rogers and Charlie Rose (Video: 15:18)