In the quest for efficiency, effectiveness, and optimisation, so much of the content being produced online is starting to feel the same.
Content that is constantly punchy and impact-oriented, short and summarised, conceptually shallow and a little too digital.
At first, it was great. The structure and delivery made content quick and easy to read and consume. But now, after some time, I find myself questioning the longer-term impact of this becoming the default.
Sometimes, when things are a bit messy, complex, wordy or even ambiguous, the reader is forced to restructure the content in their own mind to truly understand it. And in doing so, they become the master of that idea.
I can’t help but feel we may be missing out on the learning and strengthening that comes from engaging with heavier, less polished content.
I also wonder where this leads over time. Does it result in leaders who struggle to consume complexity? Or thinking that becomes overly linear and simplistic? So much of what distinguishes strong leaders is their ability to mentally wrestle with complex information and competing variables to produce sound strategies and direction.
I feel it’s never been more important for boards and senior leaders to consciously protect and develop this capability and to recognise the value in content that contains friction, complexity and provocation.
To put it bluntly, if we feed our minds on fluff, eventually all we’ll be able to consume is fluff. I of course welcome feedback and thoughts on this matter.
