I was Stumbling around and came across an article in Accidental Creative called, "Do We Really Need More Time?" by Todd Henry. You should read the article before reading this post, but if not then I will summarize. ----> More Time.
These types of articles really bug the crap out of me, because the author assumes the reason people don't engage in some particularly productive activity is they just are doing too much other stuff. Regardless if it's healthy, productive or effective, this other stuff provides for our needs. If television didn't give people something more effectively than say chess, then Milton Bradley would occupy half of Best Buy.
I try to look at stuff I do from a cognitive behavioral point-of-view - with a bit of existentialism thrown in. Everything we do is for a reason. There's actually some purpose to watching television or playing World of Warcraft. These are tools that provide some purpose.
With CBT, you try to be cognitively aware of what you are doing and why you are doing it. For instance instead of going into the fridge and pulling out a gallon of ice cream and then like some zombie sitting in front of the television scooping out frozen brains, maybe you try to find a more productive tool, such as taking a walk to calm that nervous, anxious energy you've built up throughout the day.
Anyway, I wrote a response to the article which I've included in this blog.
Comment to article: Sometimes I read an article and I'm just stunned at the reverse thinking. Americans today work harder and longer hours than at almost any other time in our history. We're pushing the same amount of hours that were worked before the New Deal. We work longer and harder than almost any industrialized country - including Japan. Do we work to live or live to work?
Furthermore, activities such as reading a book, chatting with friends and exercising are actually good things - that build and strengthen creativity. We as a society should be doing more of this - not less. Please people reading this blog - take my advice go buy a good book like, Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey and then discus with a friend at lunch .. you'll be shocked at all the creative ideas that will spring forth from your brain.
Speaking of brains and books - I recommend, The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge. It equinoctial explains that our brains actually mold and change with our thoughts and actions. Meaning - if you want to be creative then must do creative things. Sitting at your computer or reading some book on the latest Java registries ain't gonna cut it
Save yourselves!!! go now - call a friend - have lunch - a long lunch - I'm serious, order coffee - look outside the window - find out where your server is from .. laugh a little then go to used bookstore. Live the distraction before it's too late.
These types of articles really bug the crap out of me, because the author assumes the reason people don't engage in some particularly productive activity is they just are doing too much other stuff. Regardless if it's healthy, productive or effective, this other stuff provides for our needs. If television didn't give people something more effectively than say chess, then Milton Bradley would occupy half of Best Buy.
I try to look at stuff I do from a cognitive behavioral point-of-view - with a bit of existentialism thrown in. Everything we do is for a reason. There's actually some purpose to watching television or playing World of Warcraft. These are tools that provide some purpose.
With CBT, you try to be cognitively aware of what you are doing and why you are doing it. For instance instead of going into the fridge and pulling out a gallon of ice cream and then like some zombie sitting in front of the television scooping out frozen brains, maybe you try to find a more productive tool, such as taking a walk to calm that nervous, anxious energy you've built up throughout the day.
Anyway, I wrote a response to the article which I've included in this blog.
Comment to article: Sometimes I read an article and I'm just stunned at the reverse thinking. Americans today work harder and longer hours than at almost any other time in our history. We're pushing the same amount of hours that were worked before the New Deal. We work longer and harder than almost any industrialized country - including Japan. Do we work to live or live to work?
Furthermore, activities such as reading a book, chatting with friends and exercising are actually good things - that build and strengthen creativity. We as a society should be doing more of this - not less. Please people reading this blog - take my advice go buy a good book like, Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey and then discus with a friend at lunch .. you'll be shocked at all the creative ideas that will spring forth from your brain.
Speaking of brains and books - I recommend, The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge. It equinoctial explains that our brains actually mold and change with our thoughts and actions. Meaning - if you want to be creative then must do creative things. Sitting at your computer or reading some book on the latest Java registries ain't gonna cut it
Save yourselves!!! go now - call a friend - have lunch - a long lunch - I'm serious, order coffee - look outside the window - find out where your server is from .. laugh a little then go to used bookstore. Live the distraction before it's too late.
