Blog Post 10/5/2009

The immediacy of online interaction is significant to the revolution that our society is under right now; it allows us to make things happen that otherwise seemed impossible.

For example, the creation of “flash mobs” is uniquely internet driven. Not that these activities couldn’t happen through analog meetings but they generally don’t and haven’t. I believe that is related directly to the sense of urgency we create in our online interactions that we don’t feel when we are talking to the more limited audience of our face-to-face peers.

When then does it make sense to slow down, to actively and consciously resist this speeding up of our interactions and our world?

Slowing Down Online

There are times when we specifically need to slow down online and there is actually plenty of opportunity for that. If you are a Facebook or Twitter user you likely have a stream of thoughts, ideas, statements and shared content flowing past you that you know you can never keep up with. From time to time why not grab ahold of a particularly interesting piece of that content – that idea thread – and let yourself chase it down the rabbit hole.

This process can be similar to reading a really good book. Following the idea process, the links associated with it and finding differing opinions or stances.

Actively choose not to respond, not to involve yourself in the idea stream but just to follow along “listening”.

At the end of the tail you might be really surprised by what you learn about yourself, your network and the idea itself.

Sharp Tongues

When we communicate in sharp, short statements we often miss out on opportunities to learn. Our ability to quickly respond makes this knee jerk reaction all the more appealing.

This type of communication is inherently very self-centered because it doesn’t give room for another viewpoint. This doesn’t mean that you need to compose an encyclopedia behind every statement you make, it is just something to be aware of.

Consider slowing down instead.

While the right to talk may be the beginning of freedom, the necessity of listening is what makes the right important – Walter Lippmann

I couldn’t have said it better myself. What do you do to slow down?