[Dale King]

What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence, a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.
- Herbert Simon


Here's an interesting article about forum addiction. Read it and give me your thoughts.

Here are my thoughts:

It all depends on the individual, and how well they manage their time. If participating in forums isn't hurting your productivity or your relationship with your family, I say, what's the problem?

On the other hand, if participating in forums is hurting your business and creating dissention within your family, you'd best heed the advice given in the article.

What do you guys think?

Dale King

[Dale King]

Very interesting. No one wants to touch this topic.

I wonder why?

Have I hit too close to home?

Hmmmmmm....

Dale King

[Bailey]

I don't have time to read the article because I am so busy trying to get all my forums read...!!!!! LOL

Forums are a very large part of my work, and have been for years... browsing, reading, offering feedback and help to others, researching the latest fixes for the newest software bugs, and just plain old networking. Oh yeah -- and occasionally ordinary fun, too!

I like forums because I can have an involved conversation with other people who are interested in a topic that I'm also interested in. (With any luck we are all fairly well-versed on it, too) As I live in a small town it is often impossible to find someone around here to have those sorts of exchanges with. There are plenty of smart people, but rarely are we smart about overlapping things!!! So forums have really stepped up to fill that void that was created when I graduated from college, where such exchanges were commonplace.

Forums are a means to an end and I also happen to enjoy them, so, I don't see them departing from my schedule anytime soon! Maybe I am addicted. It is entirely possible, actually. So be it, I guess.

Just my humble 2¢ worth!!!!

Bailey

[Ken_Calhoun]

Great post, Dale.. agree re forums are a double-edged sword.

I find them invaluable for social company, since my life is at-home,
with my family, and no "day job".. so I like the companionship.

They're also useful for positioning, self-promoting, getting feedback,
market analysis, customer surveys and much more.. so that's great.

Problem is, for example I made a mistake and took the time to post over 2,000 posts on one forum this past couple of years, and that's time I should've spent instead emailing my customers more, or creating new products.

They can be extremely useful, and for those of us who have little other companionship outside of the house, a useful outlet...

But for example, I'm going to spend more time at "real people" meetings now like I used to, eg ASTD/NSA/Chamber of Commerce etc meetings, vs spending so much time on forums. It can turn into an unhealthy, cash-draining waste of time, as it did for me.

Where's the 8-step Forum Addicts Anonymous group meet? (on a forum of course lol)

btw great article- thanks.. I need to take a "forum fast" myself.

Ken

[Andy Catsimanes]

Originally Posted by Dale King

Very interesting. No one wants to touch this topic.

I wonder why?

Have I hit too close to home?

Hmmmmmm....

Dale King

If I had a problem, I'd admit it. Really, I would.

Besides, I'm too busy checking my email.

A.

[Dale King]

Ken Calhoun wrote:
Great post, Dale.. agree. forums are a double-edged sword.

Thanks a lot, Ken!

Dale King