Is The "Four Hour Workweek" Guy On To Something?
So the cover article in this week's Sunday Styles section was about this guy Timothy Ferriss, who has become a guru to the rich nerds of Silicon Valley by advocating an "information diet"—"his methods include practicing 'selective ignorance'—tuning out pointless communiqués, random Twitters, and even world affairs (Mr. Ferriss says he gets most of his news by asking waiters)." Though he admits to not practicing what he preaches, his disciples say that adhering to these rules makes them feel "peaceful." Could this advice help me do my job better and faster? I had to wonder.
Well, one of the things I hate most about my job is reading and then regurgitating Sunday Styles articles. So after I read the one about Timothy Ferriss, I took Timothy's advice and asked a waiter to sum up the rest of it for me. Actually, a retail clerk, but same difference.
There was one problem: she hadn't read the Style section either. "I just looked at it, I didn't read it. I read Arts& Leisure! Want me to sum it up anyway?"
"Sure, go for it," I said.
"Okay," she said, "Well, there's probably an article that's like, 'Is information technology affecting our relationships and how we dress for the winter? What part do blogs play in all this (style, relationships, etc.)?' An article about leggings probably called 'What happens after leggings?' and some pictures of some cool headphones. Oh, also one of those love life articles about meeting your future inlaws and do you still want to date this person now that you know their parents are judgy WASPs, culminating in the author's realization that s/he her/himself is a judgy WASP?"
Close enough! All the time I've saved? I am going to use it to update my Facebook status and send out some resumes.