What’s the cost of being too prolific?
This is the thought in my head, a question really:
Can being too prolific diminish what you have to say?
Since actively following some folks on Twitter, I realize there are some that just seem too prolific. New links, new ideas, new blog posts, new things going on. At what point does the sheer amount of content you produce add to noise, detracting from the important things you have to say?
I decided to follow so-called Cool Cat Teacher who is constantly appearing in my Twitterific client with new blog posts, ideas, etc. I have found some good links and things she has said, so I do value her contribution to the Internet’s ever-expanding cache of content. But, I must also question how she manages to do it, does she connect a USB cable to her brain, and the other end to Twitter’s servers?
I feel at times there is too much new to read and catch up on. While I can appreciate how different sources add up to the amount of content, when new content is constantly coming from single individuals, you have to wonder if all the stuff being shared/tweeted/blogged/written/podcasted, etc. is of all the same quality.
While some folks online take their time with carefully polished, reflective ideas, others remind me of a machine that’s constantly consuming as much watermelon as you can chuck at it, with the machine constantly spewing out the seeds. I’m guilty too, of course, of taking tasty bites, then spitting it all out before it’s fully tasted/tested.
But in light of all this content I see generated, I think I want to focus my own publishing to things more carefully thought out and pondered. As long as other folks are still scouring the Web non-stop for new ideas and leads, I think we’ll be okay. I may eventually find a niche for longer, reflective, time-pondered ideas.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I wonder about this, too. I think we are all wired differently (pun intended). I am the type of person who needs down time. I need to sit with my thoughts a while, and even then, I may or may not be able to write a coherent blog post. Others seem to be really quick on the uptake. Either they think/write faster or are just better with time management. Maybe writing and sharing is part of their process of digesting. I view the blogosphere as an appropriate place for that. It is the art of reflecting, at whatever stage, that helps the ideas grow and take shape.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Thank you for putting into words what I have been wondering myself. I cannot see how some on the educator network can do all their do, and do it well AND ALL THE TIME, without some sacrifice somewhere (family, friends, etc?)
Some twitter users, some bloggers, seem to keep showing the newest and the best thing to check out, but in all honesty, how could that be?? Everything cannot be the best.
Personally, I prefer quality versus quantity and have stopped following those who twitter too much or blog all the time usually excessively and hype all the time about this and that and especially constant links back to their own projects.
I let the items filter down to me over time. If they are worth the time, they will survive more than 1 twit or blog post and then I know they are of value to check out.
Apologies if I seem to rant. You touched a nerve which has been festering for a while. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
RebyW:
That’s why I wrote this. No doubt, there are some educators that are so prolific with content that it becomes noise to us. I agree that the quality can’t be good. I’ll reiterate: sharing resources with our colleagues would/will be far more valuable if they are tools we’ve actually used and can fully endorse. If not, we should say why we tried and what didn’t work.
Twitter is great, but I can’t take too much more of “Ooh ooh ooh, I just found another cool website!!” I think your attitude is a sound one! I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels this way.
Take care!