Comments on: Something’s Gotta Give http://needlemeethaystack.com/2010/06/17/somethings-gotta-give/ The Lessons of the Working World Thu, 03 May 2012 10:39:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elle http://needlemeethaystack.com/2010/06/17/somethings-gotta-give/comment-page-1/#comment-1315 Elle Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:58:13 +0000 http://needlemeethaystack.com/?p=2473#comment-1315 There's a huge difference between passively consuming media because it's thrown at us 24/7 and actively seeking out new learning material (however obscure or seemingly "useless" it may be) because you have a thirst for knowledge. If it's something that you enjoy doing then keep doing it. If you need a break take one, but don't opt to deprive your grey matter of stimulation just because the majority of people can't handle that much information. Besides, you'd be surprised at what effective ice breakers those random factoids can be in potentially awkward situations. There’s a huge difference between passively consuming media because it’s thrown at us 24/7 and actively seeking out new learning material (however obscure or seemingly “useless” it may be) because you have a thirst for knowledge. If it’s something that you enjoy doing then keep doing it. If you need a break take one, but don’t opt to deprive your grey matter of stimulation just because the majority of people can’t handle that much information.

Besides, you’d be surprised at what effective ice breakers those random factoids can be in potentially awkward situations.

]]> By: Andrew http://needlemeethaystack.com/2010/06/17/somethings-gotta-give/comment-page-1/#comment-1314 Andrew Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:07:31 +0000 http://needlemeethaystack.com/?p=2473#comment-1314 Meg - I was thinking more along the lines of getting rid of a part of my routine. I always get buyers' remorse after spending a few hours digesting media, thinking, "Man, I wish I had done [insert thing I wish I had done] instead..." Really, it's my procrastination activity of choice. And I know crazed hippies. You, miss, are no crazed hippie. Slightly wonky, yes. But not crazed. Sara - Thanks for your comments! That's an excellent way to put it. The next time I have to explain to one of my co-workers why I'm describing our database structure with transformers characters, that will give me an excellent justifiction for using the metaphor. Although maybe describing the second-tier account identifiers correlating to other views using the relationship of Jazz and GB Blackrock might not be the best idea in the first place... Meg – I was thinking more along the lines of getting rid of a part of my routine. I always get buyers’ remorse after spending a few hours digesting media, thinking, “Man, I wish I had done [insert thing I wish I had done] instead…” Really, it’s my procrastination activity of choice. And I know crazed hippies. You, miss, are no crazed hippie. Slightly wonky, yes. But not crazed.

Sara – Thanks for your comments! That’s an excellent way to put it. The next time I have to explain to one of my co-workers why I’m describing our database structure with transformers characters, that will give me an excellent justifiction for using the metaphor. Although maybe describing the second-tier account identifiers correlating to other views using the relationship of Jazz and GB Blackrock might not be the best idea in the first place…

]]> By: Sara Gallagher http://needlemeethaystack.com/2010/06/17/somethings-gotta-give/comment-page-1/#comment-1313 Sara Gallagher Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:51:21 +0000 http://needlemeethaystack.com/?p=2473#comment-1313 You are too funny. Love your blog. And here's why I think all that "useless" information floating around in your brain actually makes you smarter. The human brain subsists on connections. Memory depends on your ability to put what you learn into context. Judgment and decision-making depend on your ability to reframe your current situation in light of similar situations you've faced in the past. Listening depends on being able to anchor new information to things you already know. Your encyclopedic memory gives your brain a lot of raw material, or building blocks, to create those mental connections and bridges. My guess is (and it's an educated guess, after having read a few of your blog entries) that your knowledge not only makes it easier for you to quickly and effectively consume new media, but that it also makes it easier for you to relate your own thoughts and ideas in terms that other people can understand--using metaphors and analogies from popular culture. You are too funny. Love your blog. And here’s why I think all that “useless” information floating around in your brain actually makes you smarter.

The human brain subsists on connections. Memory depends on your ability to put what you learn into context. Judgment and decision-making depend on your ability to reframe your current situation in light of similar situations you’ve faced in the past. Listening depends on being able to anchor new information to things you already know.

Your encyclopedic memory gives your brain a lot of raw material, or building blocks, to create those mental connections and bridges. My guess is (and it’s an educated guess, after having read a few of your blog entries) that your knowledge not only makes it easier for you to quickly and effectively consume new media, but that it also makes it easier for you to relate your own thoughts and ideas in terms that other people can understand–using metaphors and analogies from popular culture.

]]> By: Meg http://needlemeethaystack.com/2010/06/17/somethings-gotta-give/comment-page-1/#comment-1311 Meg Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:34:44 +0000 http://needlemeethaystack.com/?p=2473#comment-1311 Dude, you don't need to "get rid of" any part of your personality. It keeps you soundly YOU. We could all use more hours in the day, even us funemployeds. But don't go dicing your personality or the things you enjoy most -- if random factoids and absorbing media is your thing, so be it. It could be worse. You could be a crazed hippie like me. Dude, you don’t need to “get rid of” any part of your personality. It keeps you soundly YOU. We could all use more hours in the day, even us funemployeds. But don’t go dicing your personality or the things you enjoy most — if random factoids and absorbing media is your thing, so be it. It could be worse. You could be a crazed hippie like me.

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