What We Talk About When We Talk About “Curation”: The Value of Finding and Forgetting Ideas

What We Talk About When We Talk About “Curation”: The Value of Finding and Forgetting Ideas

In the age of information overload, the task of curating and finding value amidst the vast maze of overabundant information has become increasingly important. Curation, as a form of creative and intellectual labor, involves not only acquiring and selecting content but also contextualizing it. It is about identifying what matters in the world and why.

The concept of curation is rooted in the human need for connection and enthusiasm. As Joanne McNeil aptly puts it, "People really respond to other people's enthusiasm about things." When someone curates content, they are not just presenting it; they are sharing their passion and excitement, making it more engaging and meaningful.

However, the challenge lies in the fact that ideas, thoughts, and findings often get lost in the sea of notes, links, and bookmarked articles. We save them as a form of insurance for the future, hoping that they will be valuable someday. We write things down not to remember them but to forget them. Notes apps, bookmarking tools, and other similar platforms serve as repositories for our ideas, allowing us to let go and feel safe in the knowledge that they are stored somewhere.

But the truth is, most of our thoughts and discoveries are not actually valuable. We write them down and never give them a second thought. We assign value to our ideas and findings because they took time to think up and find. This fear of losing them stems from loss aversion, a biological response ingrained in our DNA. We are wired to treat threats as more urgent than opportunities, as organisms that prioritize survival have a better chance of reproducing.

To address this fear and the burden of remembering everything, we need to embrace the idea of forgetting. We need to feel safe in knowing that our memories were not in vain, that they will be there if we need them again. Only then can we truly let go. As Dan Shipper discovered, flipping through old notes can feel like sifting through stale garbage. It becomes apparent that most of our ideas and discoveries are not worth much on their own. We blame the tools and techniques, believing that a new app will solve our problems. But in reality, we keep seeking the next best thing, only to end up back where we started - safely forgetting things.

Instead of constantly chasing after the newest note-taking app or organizing technique, we should focus on the ideas themselves. The value lies not in the tools but in the ideas we encounter and the connections we make. We may come across the same best ideas repeatedly, and our notes become a record of when we first encountered them. While it may seem like an illusion, keeping these notes can provide us with a sense of mental safety, allowing us to forget and make space for new ideas.

To make the most of the curation process and avoid getting caught in the cycle of seeking the next best thing, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of hoarding every idea or thought that crosses your mind, be selective. Only curate and save content that truly resonates with you or has the potential for further exploration.

2. Embrace the power of revisiting: Make it a habit to regularly revisit your old notes and ideas. This practice can help you identify patterns, make connections, and unearth valuable insights that may have been overlooked initially.

3. Share your curated content: Don't let your curated content gather dust in your personal archives. Share it with others who may find it valuable or interesting. By sharing, you not only contribute to the collective knowledge but also spark conversations and inspire new ideas.

In conclusion, curation is a valuable form of creative and intellectual labor that allows us to find meaning and relevance in a world saturated with information. By embracing the idea of forgetting and focusing on the quality of ideas rather than the tools we use to curate them, we can make the most of our curatorial efforts. Letting go of the fear of losing ideas and sharing our curated content can lead to a more enriching and fulfilling creative journey.