Ken’s blog is named "Digital Common Sense." Here’s some common sense he shares about being a hyperlinked individual…
…hyperlinking is about connectedness to some extent. I’ll
venture a guess that I exceed most in connectedness, but there’s also
an overwhelming sense of frustration and futility. The single word
mantra I’ve tried to live by since 1998 is simplify.
I’ve gone to some incredible efforts here and there over the past
several years to simplify life. I only buy technology tools when they
simplify life. I bought my truck to simplify. If there’s an
undercurrent that runs throughout my work week, a theme, it’s
simplification at every possible turn.Yet with all this
connectedness (which is very different from connectivity, something not
to be had at CES I noticed), simplification is a very complex process.Yes, a rule. A universal truth - Simplification is complicated.
And
it all raises the question what’s it done for quality of life. By
simplifying the way I work, I’m now simply able to work a 75 hour week
far more effectively. So……what asshole thought that was a good thing?
Our connectedness, our hyperlinked lifestyle, is creating a community
of automatons that live to work, work to live. But do we really play
enough?
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A good bit of Ken’s work is created by people who are working when they should not be. Not necessarily bad people, or even the persistently incompetent. They’re caught up in work as cult-faith, and will produce or perform even when it’s a really, really bad idea. If they could manage to unclench a little, his life would be a lot easier.