Filtering is necessary from "summary" of The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly
Filtering is a necessary function in our increasingly information-saturated world. Without it, we would be drowning in a sea of data, unable to make sense of anything. Think of filtering as a kind of mental lifejacket, keeping us afloat amidst the tidal wave of information that bombards us every day. It helps us focus on what is important, what is relevant, what is meaningful.
Filtering is not just about blocking out the noise; it is also about honing our attention, sharpening our focus, and deepening our understanding. By filtering out distractions and irrelevant details, we can devote more mental energy to the things that truly matter. In a sense, filtering is a form of mental hygiene, keeping our minds clear and our thoughts organized.
But filtering is not just a passive process of exclusion; it is also an active process of selection. We are not just filtering out the bad stuff; we are also filtering in the good stuff. We are curating our mental environment, shaping it to reflect our interests, values, and goals. In this way, filtering becomes a creative act, a way of shaping our own reality.
In the digital age, filtering has become more important than ever. With the explosion of information on the internet, we need sophisticated filtering tools to help us navigate this vast sea of data. Algorithms, search engines, recommendation systems – these are all tools that help us filter and make sense of the digital world. But ultimately, the most powerful filtering tool is our own mind, our own ability to discern what is valuable and what is not.
Filtering is not just a necessary evil; it is a fundamental aspect of how we make sense of the world. It is a skill that we must cultivate and refine if we are to thrive in the information age. So embrace filtering, embrace the power to shape your own reality, and embrace the mental clarity that comes from knowing what truly matters.