ExpertDabbler

Is mindless browsing any good? I was talking to my friend about this yesterday and wanted to post it as well.

My take is that it’s about as healthy as any mindless activity could possibly be. To be fair, I have done my share of vetti browsing. So much so I have some scars around my eyes in the form of dark circles. I am a recent convert to the opposite camp. And like all new converts, I am only too happy to proselytize.

My current method works like this.

- when at home, keep the laptop closed.
- when I get the itch to open it, think about reasons for browsing

If I am not able to come up with five good reasons, my laptop stays shut. I wait till I reach five. At any given 24 hours, I allow myself a maximum of 10 good reasons. Checking mails is not a sufficient enough reason.

- close the laptop again once all the reasons are exhausted.

Like all good rationing, this method results in moderation in consumption. I have time to do some activities which folks elder to me had time for in abundance - walks, shopping, socializing, reading etc.

Net as an infrastructure takes access to information to frightening heights. But some processing has to happen in our heads for the information to be of any use. I think accessing information should be a much more selective and conscious exercise than what it is currently with me and most of the folks I know. We are over-emphasizing information and under-weight on processing that information. Unlimited access to information is no substitute for wisdom. And browsing is no substitute for thinking.

As for the effectiveness of my strategy, habits die hard and I am fighting myself here. But at least I am fighting. This post is an attempt to pump-in these ideas to my head first. How about you?