The Power of Curated Knowledge: Why You Should Stop Reading News and Learn in Public

The Power of Curated Knowledge: Why You Should Stop Reading News and Learn in Public

In today's fast-paced digital world, news consumption has become an integral part of our daily lives. We are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, making it challenging to separate the signal from the noise. The rise of social media and online platforms has made news distribution easier and cheaper, but at what cost?

The truth is, the more news we consume, the more misinformed we become. The quality of news has decreased while the quantity has increased. Page views have become the name of the game, driving revenue for media outlets. Controversy and share-ability reign supreme, leading to a never-ending cycle of clickbait headlines and sensationalized stories.

But here's the thing - most of what we read online today is pointless. It doesn't contribute to living a good life, making better decisions, or understanding the world. It lacks depth and meaningful information that can help us develop genuine connections with others. When we detach ourselves from the news, we begin to notice how misinformed those who still consume it are. They often cherry-pick information and give it undue weight in forming their opinions. Instead of seeking validation in the opinions of others, we should strive to gather feedback from reality itself.

Stepping back from news consumption is undoubtedly challenging. We fear silence and being alone with our thoughts. However, by doing so, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities for personal growth and learning. This is where the concept of "learning in public" comes into play.

Learning in public means openly sharing your knowledge, experiences, and questions with others. It involves embracing your noobyness and not being afraid to be wrong. When we learn in private, we limit ourselves to lurking and consuming information passively. However, by actively engaging with others on platforms like Stackoverflow or Reddit, we invite support, feedback, and collaboration.

The internet is a vast and powerful tool for learning, and the best way to make the most of it is by contributing to it. Instead of being solely a consumer of information, strive to be a producer as well. Share your insights, ask questions, and participate in discussions. By doing so, you not only solidify your own understanding but also create a valuable resource for others.

It's important to note that the goal of learning in public is not to seek validation through claps, retweets, or upvotes. Instead, it's about the personal growth and satisfaction that comes from sharing your knowledge and helping others. The biggest beneficiary of your efforts to help past you is future you. If others benefit as well, that's an added bonus.

One powerful way to open source your knowledge is by creating your own libraries or projects. Even if no one else ever uses them, the process of building something from scratch and understanding how it works is a valuable learning experience. You can also teach workshops or summarize what you've learned at conferences, further solidifying your knowledge and contributing to the collective understanding of a topic.

In conclusion, the power of curated knowledge lies in both stepping back from mindless news consumption and actively engaging in the process of learning in public. By disconnecting from the noise of news and embracing the opportunities for growth and collaboration that the internet provides, we can deepen our understanding, connect with others, and make a meaningful impact.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Limit your news consumption and focus on seeking factual information and data rather than opinions.

• 2. Embrace your noobyness and actively engage in learning communities online. Share your knowledge, ask questions, and contribute to discussions.

• 3. Open source your knowledge by creating your own projects, teaching workshops, or summarizing what you've learned at conferences. The process of sharing and teaching will solidify your understanding while also benefiting others.