The importance of an information diet
We all have been told from time immemorial that everything comes at a cost and even better, what is free is often the costliest.
Certainly, these phrases are, for no doubt, absolutely true. Things might have changed but human biology hasn’t so these sorts of wisdom are of timeless nature.
But today, we aren’t going to be talking about it specifically and I prefer not to preach and talk about things which are already mainstream or can be thought of in a span of a few seconds or minutes since I pride myself as a first principle thinker.
Instead, let me introduce you to a rather, practical yet often glanced through topic. It’s called the information diet and let me tell you it's important.
In Stage One Diet, most of us.. Wait, that’s a bad word. Let me readdress, the average person is likely living an unexamined life.
This kind of life is the most obvious and recognized lifestyle which we all have seen and can easily, at this exact moment, point out someone who’s living it.
Simply living life based on our circumstances and doing almost nothing about it.
Let’s get more specific and introspective on this, okay? The problem with the unexamined life is that it's a life that has no structure, planning, systems or even dreams.
Okay, so why is this a problem you might ask? Well, the problem with such a lifestyle is that whatever life throws at you, you catch based on your mood swings and aren’t willing to be rational and thoughtful to spend your one chance and one opportunity (your life).
Still don’t think this is a problem? Well, this is a problem because the one thing you know for sure, is this moment and effectively, this life so for people who know genuinely that this is your one shot and life can be taken away at any moment will understand that living wisely is simply a more happy, effective and ethical way of living.
So let’s imagine you understood this well and effectively implemented this and started being a humble student of life and embraced change. (I believe that since you stumbled in my humble corner blog, you are probably in this stage already so cheers!)
Ok so, now you’re in Stage Two Diet. In this Stage, you are exploring changes to make. You are listening to the all-new videos, podcasts, audiobooks or even reading books.
Heck, you’re even smarter than most people here and read directly philosophy books of many schools rather than “cheap” self-help books.
You’re certainly an impressive young person now but you still seem rather unhappy. You know a lot, think a lot and “do” a lot too. People finally call you smart and are in awe of your seemingly striking yet thoughtful angles in conversations yet you, in many ways, feel the same.
It’s as though you have worn luxury clothes instead of cheap fast fashion clothes but the body is still the same.
The problem you feel this way is because you are actually like this right now. Your gut feeling is actually right.
Sure, you don’t party or drink as much anymore. You're the new self who listens to self-help advice, is in-tune with the news, listens to podcasts or even more, researches about your career which is all great so why aren’t you far better than you thought? Why aren’t you as great as these people whom you watch?
Don’t fool yourself. Reading news or listening about self-improvement is a high in itself. It’s a good feeling that’s mostly worthless. Instead, double down on what actually matters and will change you and others around you.
Maybe it’s not as bad since it’s not a net negative but it’s certainly not a net positive either. It’s just zero.
People become great by focusing exclusively on your craft, not by being a jack of all trades but you are learning you say? Yes, you are learning but learning without applying it is no different as it does not exist.
This is the litmus test: “If I erased the memory of this event and there’s almost absolutely no change in any way and the chances of you applying it in real-life is almost zero even after decades then quit it.”
The answer
It’s either two possibilities:- The chances are extremely high but leverage is low. Example: healthy diet, exercise, quality relationships and focusing on career.
- The chances are extremely low but leverage is extremely high. Example: business, writer or investments.
The first one is obvious: Do things only and until it has an effect on your present or near future and nothing else.
For example, All that news is useless and must only be absorbed when there’s a major issue or few weeks before the elections. Any more listening is useless because you will never go to a political position either because you don’t want to or don’t possess the ability to do so.
Instead, you can ethically contribute more to the world by being a good friend or family to others and be the hand who lifts them or contribute to the world more by doing your job well.
The second is not obvious but equally or more important. It’s a few big things if you mess up then it’s leveraged effect will financially, emotionally or physically kill you.
For example, if one talks behind his best friend then it will degrade the friendship. It’s just a few words yet it has so much upscale
Of course, some might question why there’s activity that has both high chance and leverage. This kind of question is probably asked since you assume such opportunities are general - they are not. It depends person to person and for you to personally find it out.
The quest for knowledge is unlimited. That’s why it’s so appealing but also why it’s also so irrational to focus, especially if you’re only going to live a limited life.
Remember, paraphrasing Seneca, “Immortal in desires and mortal in fears.”
In Stage One, you chased after common pleasures. In Stage Two, you chase after uncommon pleasures but in Stage Three, you chase none but what matters.