iPad too? Six simple rules to moderate your online media diet – The Joy Trip Project

iPad too? Six simple rules to moderate your online media diet – The Joy Trip Project

I put off buying an iPad until I could answer a simple question. What the hell am I going to do with it? With an Apple desktop, a wireless card equipped laptop and an iPhone, I’ve pretty much got the global/mobile thing nailed. But in my line of work as journalist a fourth devise in small package with an easy-to-read screen could come in handy while gathering and sharing stories online.
After fighting every single early adopter impulse in my body I resisted the urge. But finally I decided to make the purchase in a mid-year resolution of sorts.  I want to use this tablet device in order read and support the work of high caliber journalists, spend less idle time on the Internet watching crap and consuming a healthier diet of online content that supports the highest aspirations of my active lifestyle. So like millions of people around the world I bought an iPad too.
             I’m a big believer in the transformative power of the Internet. But like anything in life when consumed to excess the news and information we receive online can often do more harm than good. We have so much content coming at us minute by minute in a constant flow I’m sure that there are a great many important details that I miss and few that I devote adequate time to.
With this new iPad2 I want to change that by doing a better job of reducing and regulating the quality of content I digest online. And I hope I can get a few of you to offer your suggestion on exactly what I’m looking for. Here are a few basic rules I intend to follow over the next few weeks as I create a healthy online media diet.
 

  1. Keep it local
  2. Look for global implications
  3. Define your personal interests
  4. Engage in thoughtful interactions with others
  5. Find the fun in the frivolous
  6. Be prepared to pay for valuable resources

 
I’m open to other suggestions on good online hygiene and I’ll more firmly define each of these rules as this project progresses. Before the iPad comes out of the box I want to go into this new experience with dedicated purpose. And as I intend to improve the quality of my own online content I hope that those who follow along will join in the conversation and share their ideas.  ~ JEM