Are You Reading Too Many Blogs?: Finding Balance and Maximizing Productivity

In the age of information overload, blogs have become an integral part of our lives. They provide us with inspiration, keep us updated with current events, and offer a glimpse into the pulse of society. However, with the endless stream of blog posts available at our fingertips, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of information. This raises the question: how do you know when you’re reading too many blogs?

Ades, the author of AdesBlog.com, proposes a theory that top bloggers don’t actually read other people’s blogs. To test this theory, he interviewed several prominent bloggers, including Michael Arrington, Darren Rowse, Jeremy Schoemaker, and Yaro Starak. Surprisingly, most of them admitted to reading only a few or no blogs at all. Darren Rowse stands out as an exception, with 700 blog subscriptions, but even he only skims through the list occasionally, focusing on around 50 blogs daily.

While this sample size is not comprehensive, it raises an important question: are we spending too much time reading blogs? Is it possible to strike a balance between staying informed and becoming overwhelmed? Let’s explore the pros and cons of blog reading to better understand this dilemma.

Pros of Blog Reading:

1. Inspiration: Reading blogs exposes us to new ideas and inspiration that we can implement in our own work. It serves as a wellspring of creativity, propelling us forward in our professional and personal lives.

2. Keeping up with current events: Traditional news outlets often fail to cover important stories adequately. Blogs, on the other hand, provide a platform for alternative perspectives and uncover news that might otherwise go unnoticed. By reading blogs, we can stay informed about the most significant events shaping our world.

3. The pulse of the times: As an anthropologist and writer, understanding societal dynamics and human behavior is essential. Blogs offer valuable insights into how people perceive and respond to the world around them. By regularly engaging with blogs, we gain a deeper understanding of our society and the individuals within it.

4. Discovering the unknown: Blogs often surprise us with knowledge we didn’t even know we needed. They introduce us to concepts and information that we wouldn’t have searched for otherwise. This continuous learning broadens our horizons and enhances our intellectual growth.

5. Entertainment: Reading blogs written by experienced and passionate writers is a delightful alternative to mindlessly consuming mainstream media. Their expertise and engaging writing style make reading their thoughts an entertaining and enriching experience.

Cons of Blog Reading:

1. The echo-chamber effect: Selecting blogs that mirror our own viewpoints may limit our exposure to diverse perspectives. While this might not be a major problem if we engage with other forms of media as well, it’s worth considering whether we are inadvertently restricting the range of opinions that influence us.

2. Time consumption: Although it’s challenging to quantify the exact amount of time spent reading blogs each day, it’s easy to lose track and find ourselves investing excessive time in this activity. We must evaluate whether this time could be better utilized elsewhere, focusing on more essential tasks or hobbies.

3. Sense of urgency: The ever-increasing number of unread blog posts in our feed can create a sense of pressure and anxiety. Facing a seemingly insurmountable pile of content can be overwhelming, leading to unnecessary stress. We need to reflect on whether this self-imposed urgency is beneficial or if it is simply adding unnecessary pressure to our already busy lives.

4. The other echo-chamber effect: In niche industries, multiple blogs may cover the same story, sometimes with slight variations. This can result in repetitive reading or the fear of missing out on essential details. To resolve this, we need to find a balance between staying informed and avoiding information overload.

5. Misleading headlines: Judging a blog post solely by its headline can lead to disappointment. While catchy headlines may attract our attention, the actual content may not live up to our expectations. Alternatively, an incredibly insightful post may be hidden behind a lackluster title. Navigating these pitfalls requires careful discernment.

Developing a Blog Reading System:

Given the potential downsides of extensive blog reading, it may be beneficial to establish a system that optimizes our experience and maximizes our productivity. One possible approach is categorizing blogs based on priority:

1. Daily reads: Create a list of the top 10 blogs in your niche that you consider essential. These are the blogs you read diligently every day to ensure you stay up to date with the latest information and insights.

2. Weekly reads: Identify influential blogs that post less frequently or cover topics you are particularly interested in. Reserve specific time during the week to delve deeper into these blogs and fully absorb their content.

3. Occasional reads: Allocate spare time to explore blogs that align with your hobbies or personal interests. These blogs may not be critical for your day-to-day life but can provide enjoyable and enriching content during leisure moments.

4. Probation: When you come across new blogs, give them a trial period to determine their value and relevance to your interests. During this period, assess whether the blog deserves a place in your daily or weekly reads or should be removed from your list.

While the idea of reorganizing an extensive list of RSS feeds may seem daunting, it is a necessary step to ensure that our blog-reading habit remains purposeful and time-efficient.

Your Approach to Blog Reading:

We are curious to know how others manage their blog reading habits. Are top bloggers like Arrington and his cohorts exceptions, or do they represent a widespread practice? How many blogs do you read? Do you have a system in place to limit your time spent on blog reading? If not, do you feel overwhelmed and in need of one? Lastly, which blogs do you consider essential reading?

Finding a balance in blog reading is crucial in our information-driven society. By reflecting on our habits and prioritizing our blog choices, we can better navigate the blogosphere while maximizing productivity and personal growth. Let’s strive for intentional and purposeful blog reading, making the most of this valuable resource without succumbing to information overload.