Skimmers, Browsers and Scanners: Oh My!

For those playing along at work or home, today's title is an updated takeoff from Dorothy's famous line: "Lions, Tigers and Bears - Oh My" from my favorite hip-to-be-square movie, The Wizard of Oz.  And no, we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

So what's with the retro remix, you ask? Well, I just read an interesting interview with Nicholas Carr, author of "What the Internet is Doing to our Brains." (That title makes me think about one of my favorite Monty Python skits, where the Gumby characters gum, "My brain hurts!" Love that skit!).  Now, no surprise here (as if the title of his book doesn't give it away already) - but Mr. Carr thinks that the Internet is making us lazy when it comes to how we find, read and process information. He thinks we're getting to be a bunch of superficial "skimmers, browsers and scanners."

Whoa, pretty heavy stuff.  My brain hurts just thinking about it. 

However, all those in agreement with Mr. Carr, say "ayyy": AYYYYY!!! You bet. He is absolutely, positively, make-no-doubt-aboutitly correct. Moreover, we need to heed his warning, and take care not to let our slothiness get the better of us.

So the question is - nay, the challenge: what can we do about it?

Well, at a minimum, keep it in check. Especially when it comes to making important decision at work, and life. If it passes the "hmm, better do the homework on this one" test - then don't just skim, browse or scan. Really read. Really think. Really digest. Then maybe even repeat, wash, rinse and do it again. After all, serious business and/or life decisions require serious attention.

Think about it: would you want your pilot to merely skim, browse and scan when it comes to flying your plane? Well then, isn't "flying" your career, and your life (especially if it impacts others) - worthy of the same careful attention and mindfulness? Sure it is.

Thoroughness Is Good.