The Power of Read It Later Apps and the Future of Knowledge Building and Sharing

The Power of Read It Later Apps and the Future of Knowledge Building and Sharing

Reading is the closest thing we have to thinking another's thoughts. It allows us to wrap ourselves in another person's paradigm, which is the first step in letting go of our own. In today's world, the ability to read has become a source of competitive advantage. However, what has become increasingly scarce and valuable is the capability to sit quietly and direct focused attention for sustained periods of time.

In a study conducted by Google, it was found that increasing the number of search results per page from 10 to 30 only took half a second longer, but caused 20% of people to drop off. This highlights the importance of being able to focus and maintain attention in a world filled with distractions.

Dr. Roy Baumeister's work on uncompleted tasks shows that they take up mental space, limiting clarity and focus. The fear of not being able to finish a long article or book can deter us from even starting it. This is where the power of "Read It Later" apps comes in.

Read It Later apps, such as Pocket, allow us to save articles and other content for later consumption. By doing so, we can create a pool of options drawn from a longer time period. This allows us to make decisions from a higher perspective, aligning them with what truly matters to us. Instead of mindlessly consuming information, we can be more intentional and selective in our reading choices.

Furthermore, Read It Later apps provide a platform for better filtering of content. With the increasing amount of information available online, it can be overwhelming to find valuable and substantive content. By using these apps, we can curate a collection of long-form articles that are presumably more substantive and meaningful.

But the power of these apps goes beyond consumption. They also enable us to highlight and share key passages with others. Some apps, like Evernote, even allow us to export highlights and key passages for better organization. This ability to share and organize knowledge can be a powerful tool for learning and collaboration.

On the other hand, the future of knowledge building and sharing goes even further. It requires an open process that displays how knowledge is created. Currently, knowledge is often created behind closed doors and only shared when it's finished. This approach limits collaboration and hinders collective knowledge.

Scrintal, a platform for organizing, connecting, and sharing knowledge visually, aims to change this. It recognizes that building knowledge is time-consuming and exhaustive. It also acknowledges that our ways of sharing knowledge are outdated. Scrintal seeks to make the internet a place for connected, accessible, and open knowledge.

Collective knowledge resembles the "memory" or "collective mind" of humanity. Achieving this shared mind requires more than just creating a mess of information. It requires a transparent and collaborative process that allows for the creation and sharing of knowledge in its various stages. By doing so, we can harness the power of ideas and leverage the network effect they possess.

In conclusion, Read It Later apps offer us the ability to consume long-form content more effectively and filter through the vast amount of information available. They allow us to be intentional in our reading choices and make decisions aligned with our values. Additionally, platforms like Scrintal aim to revolutionize knowledge building and sharing by promoting transparency, collaboration, and accessibility.

Actionable advice:

1. Use a Read It Later app to curate a collection of long-form articles that align with your interests and values. This will help you make better decisions about what to read and prioritize your reading time.
2. Experiment with highlighting and sharing key passages from the articles you save. This will not only help you retain and organize the information but also enable you to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborations with others.
3. Consider exploring platforms like Scrintal that promote transparency and collaboration in knowledge building and sharing. By actively participating in the creation and sharing of knowledge, you can contribute to the collective mind of humanity and benefit from the network effect of ideas.