FOREWORD
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AGAINST INFORMATION BLOAT
In this book, Jonathan Spira addresses the problem of Information Overload and our own responsibilities for it. But this isn’t just a question of “don’t spam.” People usually create content with some purpose in mind. Sometimes it’s just self-aggrandizement, in which case this book is not for you.
But if you’re sending messages without getting a response, maybe you aren’t thinking enough about the recipient. If you do so, you’ll get more done with less effort and more control . . . because thinking about the recipients helps you determine what actually gets into their heads.
Take how I came to write this foreword. Jonathan had sent me an e-mail politely asking me to write a few notes for his book. In reply, he got this plaintive away message from me: “staving off e-mail bankruptcy: I am traveling and my deferred message liability is around 4000. I’m hoping to work my way through this, but please don’t expect a reply until December 31 or worst case December 32!”
He then wrote again – and didn’t get a reply. I was too busy dealing with the very problem he is describing in this book.
We then chatted in Facebook instant messaging, but I responded with little enthusiasm.
What should people do to cut through the clutter and elicit a response? In the case of Jonathan’s first e-mail, he should have given me much more complete directions. In other cases let’s say if an individual had wanted me to recommend him for a job, he should ...
