Reading time: 2 minutes

In this time, where every question can be answered by Google, we are stepping away from our own critical thinking. Moving headfirst into overconsumption.

I am a perfect example of this overindulgence. In all of my hobbies and interests, I become obsessive, googling every question, watching countless videos, and reading blogs, and Reddit threads. The motivation is to learn, but the reality is that I am being fed and not learning to feed myself.

By consuming from outside sources, I am cutting off my own curiosity. Asking the question can be classified as curiosity. Finding the answer by thinking through it, trial and error, or play is the opportunity we are missing out on when every “answer” is at our fingertips.

Allowing yourself the opportunity to not know every answer and to think through all the possibilities is terrifying and exhausting. We are in the age of instant gratification. Critical thinking and introspection, accepting the unknown will not scratch the itch.

If we allow ourselves to contemplate and ponder with our own experiences and intuition as our guides, we will gain more than the instant answer. The automatic instant answer lacks the emotional connection that will cause the information to be imprinted on our minds. We will experience the dopamine hit, but more than likely the statistic will be forgotten in less than twenty-four hours.

When the answer is obtained from play, trial and error, experiments, contemplation, and conversations we are tying an experience to our learning. The story and emotion associated with the process allows the stat to stick.

Of course, actual statistics and prevalence cannot be obtained this way for the individual that does not have the access to perform studies, but if we are being honest, why do we really need to know.

How can you prevent overconsumption that is disguised as learning? Ask yourself, why do I need this answer? How is this answer going to change my behavior or impact my life?

If the answer to the question will change your behavior, ask away and then ruminate on the answer so you can create the experience that would contribute to retaining the information.

If the answer will not change your behavior, then do not entertain the question, it is overconsumption. The overconsumption can be a source of a dopamine hit that is disguised as learning, although it is a mindless activity.

Some can argue that this approach is too black and white, and I can agree. That is the point, ask yourself, explore and find out what is the difference between learning and overconsumption in relation to your own motivations and experiences? Can you tell the difference?

Continue pondering..