-
- Nov 10 2007
- 162 Comments
-
It's no big secret that I've been slaving away at The Attention Age Doctrine II. In order to do that - I often have to step back and reflect on what is currently happening in today's world.
One of the many observations I've made about the attention age is that it is full of paradoxes. Such as:
We Have...
-More Information But Less Knowledge
-More Activity But Less Accomplishment
-More Achievement But Less Fulfillment
As you can see the paradox is "More but Less"; for instance, it seems logical that having more information would lead to more knowledge - but as we all know the opposite is often true.
I've been working on a chart that has all the paradoxes I've thought about. Here, take a look:
(Don't worry about "Attention Bankruptcy", I'll tell you about it in the Doctrine)
I'm really interested in the "More but Less" paradoxes you're noticing.
What would you suggest I add to the chart?
Post Your Answers Below
-
- Save / Promote This Post
- If you enjoyed this post, your vote is always highly appreciated!!
-
162 Comments to “Attention Age Paradoxes”
Hi Rich,
The “More but Less” Paradoxes Chart of the Attention Age pretty much sums it up though you ask for more. Maybe that is another paradox? More likely, though, it is less of that and your usual desire to excel more than expected that prompted that request.
My big takeaway is that it is really a sign of the times. Remembering the prophecy that says in the last days knowledge would increase, people would run to and fro, ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.
I believe that is what is being fulfilled in this very hour in the market and those who remain focused more on providing longterm value and the overdelivering on promises will also be those who are more successful. To echo your interview with Jay Abraham,
discovering the tools and the strategies for maximizing the profitability as well as discerning the value of the information available is now the currency worth more than its weight in gold.
Keep fighting the good fight my friend,
Doug Barger
Hi Doug,
Amen to that one! Before I even read your post , the same exact thought came to mind.
More, more more…..
Here’s one for you.
More Blessings/Less Gratitiude
I call it the “Adam and Eve Syndrome”
As far as the internet goes, I feel we must master
the few things we know first, then apply them. Next, continue on and master a few more.
Above all, don’t spend hours of time reading things from every Tom, Dick and Harry on here claiming to be “an expert”.
Trust a few……..Learn a lot
Donna Smith
http://www.TruthAboutTrucking.com
ok here are some more:
more Accomplishments less satisfaction
more varieties less trust
more clarity less confusion
more qualifications less opportunities
more analyzing less doing
more thinking less progressing
more noise less focus
more laziness less reach
more laughing less stress
more friends less sincerity
more products less quality
more confusion less right choices
more technology less healthy environment
more discoveries less balanced humans
more freedom less free minds
more speed less enjoying
more power less honesty
more fear less courage
and a variation to your statement:
more porn less sexual satisfaction
and from the movie
“too many men too little time”:-)
More Presentations Less Sales!
hmmm…doesn’t quite cut it, does it? lol
Or how about
More game addiction lesser productivity!
Hi Kelly & people,
Actually as an old Salesmeister (Ret.) I can now reveal the truth:
More presentations actually does more often mean less sales.
It’s an old Salesmeister con to keep the slaves in the field. Unless someone is born with the knack, direct sales is a most awful way to exist.
The key to success is to learn to target PROBABLE prospects and never try to hard sell them. The time input should be focused on making sure you know your product, know your competition equally well and if theirs is better, go there!
Golden rule for success - Never sell anything you don’t believe is worth it…..
Better rule for happiness: If the product doesn’t referal sell it isn’t worth it.
“More information; less knowledge” would be better read, “More knowledge; less understanding”. “Understanding” is the most powerful force on earth. It sees all things as they really are. Its depth is the result of knowledge combined with purity of being. More knowledge usually dilutes the understanding or remains undigested and impedes the flow. What is needed is an increase in being… more consciousness. So that people have a better understanding of the knowledge they already have.
Mani gave you good insight in his August blog. You don’t need any more paradoxes. You need more wisdom… more understanding. Then you will be able to teach what you know in a fraction of the time with a fraction of the energy. Yeah, even you… but it’s not a question of outsourcing. It’s a question of splitting the atoms of your psyche with the focus of your awareness.
Good luck, brother…
Hello: friend
I very interesting your idea , when you hear you forget
when you see you remember,and when you do you understand, if you want to win you need to play the game ,if you want more,be more,have more you need to learn more and do more.
Hi Rich,
Wow that map is the bomb! I would add more understand less vision.
Thank you!
meant to say more understanding less vision:)
Frank Zappa said a long time ago:
“Information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is THE BEST…
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis
(which is extinct).
Beauty is a French phonetic corruption
Of a short cloth neck ornament
Currently in resurgence…”
That was back in the 70s guys…
I’m amazed how well Frank predicted the future…
…Or maybe I am off topic here?
and also “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel covered similar ground:
people hearing without listening etc etc
Rich
Add this one….
More education but less learning
More TV channels, but less worth watching.
More talking, but less communication.
More dating, but less connection.
More square footage, but less comfort.
More military, but less security.
More wealth, but less fulfillment.
Great comments!
“More knowledge, less wisdom”
Hey Rich - I didn’t see any “paradox chart” BTW - has it been removed?
Cheers,
Robert
the paradox chart is above…
A few more for your list…
More politicians…fewer statesmen
More religions…less spiritual peace
More anger…less compassion
More “today”…less “the future”
More “good enough”…less “the highest quality”
It!s not A Dream, It!s Reality
more people hear less people see
more people see less people do
more people do less people get result
Rich,
I never cared for you personally. I never cared for Tellman Knudson either. My personal observation is you are all outright liars. You are polishing turds and trying to pass them off as rare gems.
My observations are based on having three advanced college degrees including an MBA and twenty-five years of business experience including several years as the administrator of a top ten US law firm.
Most of the people who are part of the good old boy Internet marketing club are a bunch of back slapping self promoting hustlers. The goose that laid the golden egg died 6-8 months ago.
You can fool some of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time but you can never fool all of the people all of the time. Most people once burned by spending their money on pure junk do not do it again.
Utility product price and service are the for cornerstones of marketing anything. They collectively equal value. All of you guys involved in Internet marketing have the mark of true hustlers. You all lie and collectively you are only interested in money regardless of whatever unethical means you have to engage in to get it. You wanted to know now you know. The Internet is a cheap media to advertise on and that is exactly what it is, a form of media and nothing more.
Ralph Dreifus
Mate, disconnect your modem and stay in the dark. Your slur is amazing seeing you apparently have 3 advanced college degrees a MBA 25 years of business experience (now is that 1 year of the same experience done 25 times over??) etc etc. No wonder the guys that have no formal education seem to be on the top as millionaires and billionaires.
Cheers heres to us eneducated turd polishers.
Regards
Martin Elkhorn
More college degrees - less self-discipline
Your comment made me want to ralph, Ralph.
More generalizations, less truth.
Power Gal
7 year Internet Marketing Veteran
providing VOLUMES more value than
we charge for!
PS Learned it all the hard way and proud
of it!
Hey Ralph Mouth,
How many people from the real world have u helped….. Not including suit and tie jockeys….
Now that is the real back slapping mens club….
People like Rich put themselves out there to lend a hand unconditionally to the genuine people of the world and hard workers… They put up with bullshit from all walks of life simply to help a few….
So comments from someone like u who thinks they are the King of Bling and above the rest of us, is very sad that u waste your valuable time to crap on with out offering anything valuable to the people in reruen for your comments…. Can u lead us in a better direction can u ??
In fact why dont u submit a list of testimionials from people that u have personally helped achieved success in their life….. or are u one of those secret Blood sucking vampires that makes it possible for genuine people like Rich to simply put his hand up to say I will help u, and thousands by word of mouth listen, simply coz we are all sick of your incestuous sterotypes, hiding behind walls to extract our money….
I love giving Rich my money every month… and so do thousands of us becasue he has what u dont have champ…. He has balls to face the genuine people who question his intentions…. He faces his people front on and talks with confidence and realism, not in riddles and quotes…..
So what was it that u do again ? Does anyone care….. How about you put your address and phone number on the comments, so some of us more freindly people can discuss satisfying your desire to slander people and not only a few but the entire group of people u so kindly stereotype as internet marketers….. Happy to give u a whole list of Internet Marketers that u can waste some more of your time with if u like…..
So the real question is how did you get polished turds and lawyers into the same paragraph…….
Rich is waking up people to the reality of this world we live in and I’ve got to say, I would rather be fooled by Rich a hundred times than once by you and your stereotype character….. Only the fool understands the darkness of the corporate world….. You should try being the fool sometime : ) if u think u are so high and might to Judge….
” Only God can Judge Me ” but thanks for trying anyway : )
More Education Bigger Ass Hole
RobertsResorts.Net
Hey guys, I got a Powerpoint show from a friend the other day that centered around this same idea. You may have seen it floating around the Internet. It covers many of the same ones. The message is clearly that, as a society, our priorities as much on quality, as they are on quantity. Though I do believe an acceleration of this has occurred, these ideas are not new, just much more evident. We are flawed beings and all the technology and resources in the world will not make up for that. I believe it is the responsibility of those of us who know what’s right to teach our children and their generation these truths and, in order to live a balanced life, one must take their eyes off themselves and put them on others. This is the only way true fulfillment and joy can come.
- Bigger houses, but smaller families
- More conveniences, but less time
- More degrees, but less common sense
- More knowledge, but less judgment
- More experts, but more problems
- More medicine, but less wellness
- More possessions, but fewer values
- We make a living, but not a life
- We can add years to life, but not life to years
- Taller buildings, but shorter tempers
- Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints
- We spend more, but have less
- We buy more, but enjoy it less
- We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet our neighbors.
- We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space
- We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice
- We write more, but learn less
- We plan more, but accomplish less
- We have higher incomes, but lower morals
- We are long on quantity, but short on quality
- These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
- Tall men and short characters
- More leisure and less fun
- More kinds of foods, but less nutrition
- Two incomes, but more divorces
- Fancier houses, but broken homes
Ah
More paradoxes
Less answers
Where is Zen when you need it ?
More emphasis on “choice”, less actual choice. (Tried buying a mobile phone without a camera recently?)
More emphasis on “freedom”, less actual freedom. (Aren’t airports fun these days?)
More emphasis on “being successful”, less time off to actually reap the benefit. (So glad I’m self-employed and can actually take time off when I want)
More emphasis on “democracy”, less discernible gap between government and opposition. (What’s a one-party state plus one more party, when the two parties agree with each other? Oh, that’s right, a state with a bipartisan consensus!)
More emphasis on “peace-loving”, less peace to love. (Anyone want to join me on my holiday to Teheran next summer?)
Hi Rich
Every day we are bombarded with the views of news reporters, but…..
More news services less truthful reporting
Joan
I think the one that I would like to add is that the harder we work to get ahead, the further we seem do get behind.
So many of these are so to the point that’s it’s almost scary… so much for advancement and improvement.
More education less wisdom
More religious choices less honorable actions
More “political correctness” required, less personal expression allowed
More pointing of fingers, less personal action
More judgement less compassion
More emails, less intimacy
More blogs, less
And my comment on Mr 25 years Law Firm MBA “slap-em all those internet marketer crooks”: knowledge has been recycling ever since recordings of Greek and Chinese philosophy, and before, and beyond. Value doesn’t come from answers anymore, it comes from application: knowing which questions to apply to what answers. Paradoxes flourish on orthogonal questions that seem to point to a unified answer.
Thanks to all the internet marketers like Rich (and many others), knowledge is freshly applied to today’s challenges of business on the net. Of course, if you have no challenge and questions, there’s no answer that can possibly be satisfying. Maybe after 25 years I’ll be so settled that I have no more questions whatsoever. But I hope not.
More influence, less impact.
More words, less meaning.
More whining, less working.
Rich,
Try these:
More doctors and fewer healthy people
More food and less nutrition
More exercise and less fitness
More ways to connect and fewer truly connected
Please forgive any duplication.
Best,
John
more blogging, less productivity
How about:
More healthcare options, less health
More banking options, less money to spend
More automobiles, less valid reasons to drive
More books, less opportunity to read
More security dollars, less security
More awareness of interconnectedness, less altruism
More food choices, less nutrition
More water sources, less quality water
More water control projects, more flooding
It all boils down to the quantum effect … an unobserved wavicle is nothing but potential, but once it gets “observed,” it is forever set in place as a particle.
Hi Rich,
The More-But paradox list is great but it all depends on where you are coming from. The whole thing sounds a little negative to me. Sure we have more of most things but that’s because we as a society have continually found ways to solve life’s problems.
For example, More Spending But Less Happiness. Who says happiness depends on spending. I don’t and I am sure there are many others that feel this way as well.
We as humans can decide what makes us happy. My definition of Happiness has nothing to do with Spending. It has to do with time. The more time I have to do the things I want to do the happier I am.
I suggest we not be so cynical about life. I like my life and that’s my choice. Abraham Lincoln I think said it best. “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be†or something very similar. I have more now than I have ever had and I am happy by choice.
I don’t look at life as a paradox I look at life as opportunity. Let me just take one more example. Your Paradox “More Ideas But Less Influence†is dead wrong, and I totally disagree. There has never been a better time in the history of man for an idea to take shape and influence so many others.
The internet is the number one influencer. I would be willing to bet your ideas, as brilliant as they are, would not have the impact they do today if it was not for the internet.
A couple of years ago a couple of guys came up with the idea of putting videos on the internet and called it You Tub, and today it is a world wide phenomena. One idea with lots of influence, the list goes on.
I could take each of your paradoxes and look at them differently from a more positive perspective and they would hold true. So yes, there is paradox and yes, there is opportunity. So let’s gives both sides of the argument and debate it deserves, always looking for the truth so we can objectively define the problem and then began searching for the solutions.
Now here is the real paradox: YES WE HAVE MORE PROBLEMS BUT YES WE ALSO HAVE MORE SOLUTIONS
To our success
David A. Scarborough
PS Rich, I hope you read this and respond
Hi Rich:
Interesting chart.
However, I think what you are presenting are many modified forms of cause and affect; and cause and effect, but not necessarily true paradoxical statements. I’ve taken the liberty to visit dictionary.com to study the definition of paradox and have looked at the definitions and examples and then looked again at your chart and I think that in a literal sense most of what is on your chart is a “skimming over” of mantra cliches we repeat to ourselves in an effort to understand situations rather than think deeper about a true paradox, as defined, of course.
par·a·dox –noun
1. a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
2. a self-contradictory and false proposition.
3. any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature.
4. an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.
par·a·dox n.
A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true: the paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.
One exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects: “The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears” (Mary Shelley).
An assertion that is essentially self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.
A statement contrary to received opinion.
paradox
noun
(logic) a statement that contradicts itself; “‘I always lie’ is a paradox because if it is true it must be false”
paradox
A statement that seems contradictory or absurd but is actually valid or true. According to one proverbial paradox, we must sometimes be cruel in order to be kind. Another form of paradox is a statement that truly is contradictory and yet follows logically from other statements that do not seem open to objection. If someone says, “I am lying,†for example, and we assume that his statement is true, it must be false. The paradox is that the statement “I am lying†is false if it is true.
American Heritage Stedman’s Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
par·a·dox (pr-dks)
n.
That which is apparently, though not actually, inconsistent with or opposed to the known facts in any case.
Best regards as usual,
Cheryl C. Cigan
Known Books
http://www.known.com
Make it Known!
cheryl,
based on your first definition:
“1. a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.”
i think that statements like “more information but less knowledge” fit the bill, but to each his own, and thanks for your opinion.
more talk less action
more thought less insight
more feelings less insight
more expression less individuality
more community less connectedness
more empathy less compassion
more knowledge less understanding
more growth less prosperity
more time less free time
>more expression less individuality
>more community less connectedness
It’s amazing how the universe works.
I’ve never looked at life like this but today something happened while I was talking with my wife - about 5 hours ago. I’ve never been here before and it’s my first time.
It’s also amazing how the uninverse moves us in the direction of life that is most beneficial for us. Always teaching us the wonders of life and existence even that part that deals with making money, marketing etc.
Anyway, while talking to my wife today I mentioned her that as you get to know a lot of people you will end up losing a lot of your individuality. Your peronality will assimilate and become like that of the collective that one is in. You will get lonlier and have a more desruptive behaviour and you will no longer be like the person you are now.
Thank you for all.
John
More Religion Less Faith
First of all, let me respond to Ralph Dreifus…
It’s completely unfair of you to criticize Rich’s work if you’ve never personally met him or been coached by him. He’s the REAL DEAL. He gives his all and is completely transparent to both his paying clients and to the public in general. He’s made a significant impact in my business and my personal life and i’m eternally greatful for that. If you haven’t been able to find any value in his work then why are you still reading his blog or on his mailing list? Seems to me if you were as smart as you think you are you’d be giving back by teaching others as well instead of spewing jealous jibberish.
Now here’s 10 more…
More Celebrities - Less Artists
More Sex - Less Love
More Ways to Communicate - Less Communication
More Children - Less Parenting
More Airlines - Less On-time Flights
More Schools - Lower grades and Less Learning
Higher College Tuition - Less Real World Education
More War - Less Diplomacy
More Work - Less Reward
More Charity - Less Change
From the land of the “still employed”
More management, less leadership.
Best,
Peter.
Hello Rich,
I really enjoyed the more / less chart. Over the centuries, nations advanced,
we tend to see massive improvements; allowing more comfort, but less time to enjoy it.
Why? When people focus on keeping up with the Jones’s so to speak we loose sight of the most precious gift of life. “Enjoy each moment.”
Less is more: This is evident when one is in 5 Star establishments, hugh lobbies, spacious, yet almost empty. Wealthy people have less clutter. We ca learn much from
observation.
When we can focus on belief in self, then master the skills necessary to become a valuable member within the community, life becomes enjoyable. We need more self motivated confident leaders and less followers. If our nation is to keep up with the massive outsourcing we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work and less of its not my job, or not my problem, attitudes.
Great job my friend again you have hit the nail on the head.
Mr. Michael J. Pickett
asapq@yahoo.com
Rich - I’m sorry by generalizing all of them - not my intent. Of course you have identified many valid gems. Many paradoxes. You asked for opinions. Luckily you are the writer, the editor, and the product will have your name on it, so the really deep thinking part is up to you. But please, go for digestible quality, not quantity, present the truly profound. You have such a valid following along the entire strata of knowledge, understanding, and experience levels. You have credibility to what you present. Your readers are sitting around waiting, wanting what your present. What you are doing with the paradox chart is important. But you knew that, otherwise you wouldn’t have involved all of your readers!
Cheryl C. Cigan
Known Books
http://www.known.com
Make it Known!
Another …
More information and less understanding
More experience Less acceptance
More talking less hearing
More chiefs less indians
More wit less sense of humor
More discontent less effort
And a special one just for Mr Driefus
More drivel less compassion
Truly an interesting collection
Camille Thomson
Canada
And in light of Paris Hilton, Brittney, et al:
More Style, less Substance….
more hope but less certainty
more attachment but less love
I’ve been watching with fascination at the number of these that people are coming up with — so creative, way to go everyone!
I was thinking as I was reading that the human experience likely hasn’t changed. I’m old enough now (shudder, I can’t believe I just said that!) to have heard a couple of generations of introspection and reflections on the humand condition.
All these things seem very real, very big, very intense in our present moment…yet it is not a new experience. The triggers may be different, the externalization might change, the numbers involved may be bigger..but our interpretation, psychology, conditioning and self talk seems to be inspiring the same experience.
I mean, after all, most all of these paradoxes (yup, I’ll accept Rich’s definition!) are not new — they’re age-old sayings, right?
Which makes me think…
“The more things change, them more they stay the same”.
Thanks again Rich for some thought provoking stuff!
Lou
Here some thought of comfort to more of this and more of that. It could be anything that we could want more of. The balance is in moderation and also me not judging you because you want more. And beside how one take in and how one lets go is their business. Who made me a ruler over you and who made you a ruler over me. No one did this but that’s how we think. If we change the way we view and think about others then we see. Vision is just a part of life but it is not etched in stone we have to have wisdom and knowledge, plus understanding of the way things work as to what things we say and do. Spiritiual things are for the spirtiual minded person and carnal things are for the carnal mined person. Why because if you don’t understand my language then you cannot receive what I’m saying. Life is full of games we play and some are very dangerous in the hand of the wrong people. For instance if you say come work for you and their are 50,000 aplication you may chose one who is better qualified than me as you see and not as God see. My point is if you go by what is written it is good but that does not stop me from excelling in God’s grace of Knowledge and wisdom.
Gotta throw a few more in:
More self help books, less self acceptance
More causes, fewer charitable thoughts
More talking, fewer deep & meaningfuls
More critics, fewer producers
More movies, fewer plots
and for the web
More websites, less content!!!!
Wouldn’t it be better to be asking where all these paradoxii came from instead of just listing them? I would imagine since there are so many and they look all connected, more like a chain than anything else, There would be some common causes amongst all of it.
Dear Rich
I read all of this and I feel thankful for the sake of our species that there are people who don’t wallow in this type of thinking. We are here to take responsibility for our lives.
“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination†… John Schaar
Regards
Warren
meh
A lot of these are great.
Here’s a few more for consideration:
more taxes, less benefits
more religion, less peace
more ads, less sales
more specialists, less experts
more interest, less credit
more restrictions, less security
more words, less meaning
more websites, less content
more shows, less enjoyment
All in good time Alan. I go into this in detail in the Doctrine II, but I wanted to see how many of them I wasn’t seeing. So far the contributions have been impressive, and will help me considerably. So thank you all… and keep them coming.
More preaching, less peace.
Are we being told the truth or lies?
Who will read and consider this web site?
More talk, less listening.
Rich
I might just clarify that I wasn’t suggesting that you are “wallowing” …. more that it is great that there are people who are too busy changing the world for the better who do not accept these paradoxes.
Warren
More opportunities less focus
More travel, less exercise.
I very rarely do this. However, I just couldn’t resist after reading Ralph Dreifus’ post above.
Ralph, for a guy with “… three advanced college degrees including an MBA and twenty-five years of business experience including several years as the administrator of a top ten US law firm… “, you should really learn not to ramble on, not to use SO many cliches in one paragraph, and how to spell “four” (”… for cornerstones of marketing… “).
It sure is hard to take seriously anything posted by someone like that…
Besides, Ralph, college degrees don’t make someone smart. Nor do years of experience equate to years of success and productivity.
OK… stepping off the soapbox now. Sorry for the rant, Rich…
Clem
The paradox of internet marketing:
- Less costly but more pricey
- Less quality but more fans
Hi Rich,
I’ve been around for quite a while and I have seen most of these paradox type quotes many times. However, the largest paradox I’ve seen is what has taken place over the past few years. Union members have gone on strike many times requesting less working hours and more free time. Then someone invented the cell phone and the black berry and now workers and managers are on call 24/7. You can’t even go to a wedding or a funeral without the ring of cell phones interrupting the ceremony. What good is technology if you become a slave to it? I think that many people would be much happier and the world would be less frenetic if everyone just took time to smell the roses. Where is everyone rushing to? Other than more electronic gadgets, life isn’t much different today than it was 50 years ago—The only difference is the speed at which people rush hither and yon. A trip to the local store now has to be done at 50 mph instead of at a leasurely walk. What! The store is not going to be there unless you rush? The only reason people need doctrines is because the are zipping around so fast that they miss just about everything life has to offer. Slow down folks, don’t be in such a hurry to run toward your demise. If you take it a little slower you’ll probably live a little longer and see many things you are missing today and that you missed on all of those hectic yesterdays.
I feel that the paradoxes that are felt by many people around the world in various areas are:
In the health industry we see:-
More drugs, less cure
Less epidemics more disease
More facilities, less care
Higher life expectancy, less quality of life
In the political arena:-
More promises fewer fulfillments
More conferences less agreement
More troop surge less victories ï
More fighting less peace
More tactics less principles
More spending fewer achievements
General:-
More people, less families
More facts less faith
Increased income and decreased savings
More leisure less time
more facts less truth
more tragedy less compassion
Same game -different name
- More links, fewer destinations.
- More text, less content.
- More light, less illumination.
- More analysis, fewer conclusions.
- More digitization, …. more paper.
(A “more-more” paradox; not quite in line with the list, but one that has always perplexed me.)
Rich,
Now, you of all people know that information doesn’t equal knowledge… so is it really a paradox?
Knowledge is merely the application of information that forms experience.
The same thing goes for alot (not all) of these other additions. I love the work, ideas & comments… as some excellent points have been made. But, I believe that a paradox to one person isn’t always a paradox to others.
Case in point… “more drugs, less cure”. Is this really a truth… or just a truism? In reality, more drugs have led to longer lives & better treatment. Anyone that ever thinks soemthing is ever cured by the implementation of one method, system or treatment… medical or otherwise… isn’t grateful for what we’ve got.
Gratefulness solves most (if not all) of these “paradoxes”… just food for thought.
Our world isn’t worse. Our world is a better place.
All societies have always have problems, such as: disease, famine, wars, economic woes, etc.
It’s these perceived paradoxes that cause more stress in our lives.
Paradoxes… only… exist where our minds allow them to.
wow..so much thought…and so much to say..
there is so much negative .. and less positive.. everyone takes everything very deeply..
true there i s sooo much out there for self help and yet people read and don’t do ..
because it takes responsibility and effort.
our power is within us.. if our attitiude can change .. and as one post put it.. stop and smell the roses..
how about just stop and BREATHE.. and start thinking within
i have found it hard for people to do this.. so my most strong paradox is
so much sleep….. but no true rest
More DRIVE less SUCCESS
More LOVE less hate
More FAITH less disappointment
Hi Rich,
Such awarenes of our paradoxical world…or is it just the stumbling blocks as we make our way through life?
I truly enjoyed your “Indoctrinations”.
Since I’m taking a break, might as well have some mental fun…
I think I can squeeze in some more paradoxes -
- more marriages but less commitment
- more money but less value
- more dates but less love
- more crowds but less togetherness
- more schooling but less wisdom
- more fashion but less style
Good-night. Back to work.
Stephen.
More communication but of less quality
Hi Rich,
Few paradoxes that I have observed:
1) More Hype Less Value
2) More Hatred Less Love
3) More Herd Mentality Less Innovation
4) More Promises Less Deliverance
5) More Short Term Focus Less Long Term Vision
Regards,
Anup
This more and less business is disgusting. There is no more and no less. It is the way you look at things. If you want more money then in a given time you have to sacrifice something else (Like time spent to play with kids) to get money. It is your outlook. What you consider more often is insignificant for another group of people. To them it is unnecessary. So these comparisons are flawed and serve no purpose.
If you wish to do business and prosper in that your business must be helpful to those who need it. Passing off all these kind of research as you label it, is a very bad karma. Better you read books by the maharishis, especially those religion in which you were born. (It does not matter which. they all say the same thing. For example the sermon on the mount is the essence of Christianity and that is exactly what the Buddha said 1200 years before, and the Gita says still back in infinite time. So to come up with something we already know and make lists may serve you to get a Phd. I don’t think it will be of use to anyone.
If you scoff at the ancient texts outright it shows you do not have a mind to explore and look back. Either way the attempt has the seeds of its destruction sown.
So look for something more revealing and useful.
Bye Take care
ravi
Wow! What an impressive collection of observations. Here are a few more for consideration - more education, less thinking; better advertising, less integrity; more expensive political campaigns, less leadership.
Hi Rich,
Good list, and I think that your insight simply adds credibility to the idea that we have both more and less at the same time, which in my mind points to a systemic problem in the way we live. We mostly seek out and put into action symptomatic solutions rather than fundamental ones, which is one reason why we fail to take advantage of the abundance around us in way that is fulfilling, balanced, and leads to personal mastery.
Just one comment - please be aware of your grammar!
If a noun is countable, use “fewer”, not “less”. For example: “More options but fewer (not less) decisions.” and “More networking but fewer (not less) friends.” It’s not critical, but what else can you expect from someone who works with non-native English speakers all the time…you get sensitized to these things!
More cause but less effect
more taxes, less benefits
more religion, less peace
more ads, less sales
more specialists, less experts
more interest, less credit
more restrictions, less security
more words, less meaning
more websites, less content
more taxes, less benefits
more religion, less peace
more ads, less sales
more specialists, less experts
more interest, less credit
more restrictions, less security
more words, less meaning
more websites, less content
more shows, less enjoyment
A few of the more important paradoxes have slipped by unnoticed, such as:
More laws, but less justice.
More fiat currency, but less wealth.
More taxes, but less benefits.
More news, but less understanding.
More communication, but less wisdom.
More “just” wars, but less friends and allies.
More government, but less peace.
More “freedom,” but less free men and women.
More opportunity, but less achievement.
More choices, but less contentment.
That’s my short list, based on a lifetime of study and personal experience.
Rich Schefren!
Thank you!
You,indeed,was conducted to correctlly choice an information about moving the Internet Business and a littie psychological trick(as description) my colleagues,opponents. Therefore I should want to observeted oneself another side to be more negative and possibly fight to my weakness. For instance,I have a big of problems by really getting fees,but for me all this is enigma. For all that I live another a country and to distant very hard an influence others the banking systems (paypal,clickbank.ebay),because I have not own ofthe financial resources and same time I have the greating information potencial ,which I must to combine “useful” by”pleasent”.
Yuriy Dyskyy.
Start at the Top and roll the mouse .. Scan the page as if you only had a second to gather the jist …. and walk away , the groupings of ” We Must More ” stagnate the memory . A paradox itself to the “We Must More ” little train that could chugga chugga choo conjuntion function , the wheel was created on a cognitive fulcrum , It can , not ” We Must More “
Excellent observation Rich,
Seems we are either focused on only the BIG picture or narrowly focused.
More international travelling but less understanding
More giving but less appreciation.
My contribution.
I Think you have missed one of the Biggest ones.
More Credit Less Money
A long time ago when I hung out with this Native guy he would always say, “You’re not living in the real world; none of this is real, it will all disappear in a flash” and then he would roll a cigarette and stare up at the sky and maybe whistle to a hawk. In the end for all the frenetic effort and grand striving we will be left with the simplest of all necessities, and those represent true wealth. Clean water, clean air, pure food, and a clear spiritual purpose. When those values reach the heart of marketing and our everyday decisions, things will calm down and the great vacuous loneliness which we escape into our attention deficit lives to avoid will be annihilated by a vibrant purpose.
After reading all the comments posted, I would Say MORE Talking but Less Thinking.
Gosh, what happened to common sense and toleration in this world?
More me, less You - so it seems
More Love, less conflict - I wish
More Gifts, less gratitude - take and take again
More Given, less appreciation - my right, the world owes me a living
Rich,
I propose that instead of putting forward the duality of every choice we make (can you get more love through porn?) you could focus on the three way choice we face in most situations:
“You can have high quality, low cost, and fast service, but not all at the same time. Choose any two you like…”
In the information rich environment we can choose between breadth, depth, and speed. Inevitably we do run out of capacity, even if we can read really fast, and listen at double speed. It comes down to a balanced discernment, based on both the right brain intuitive, and left brain analytical process.
Everyone’s success will still hinge on principles, a balanced core of our existence that is beyond the reach of superficial stimulation. And that means going strategic, not tactical; holistic, not symptom chasing. You already stand for that …
That old saying about fooling some people all of the time will probably still apply, and even unscrupulous sellers will make a living, and perhaps even a good living, so long as buyers are so distracted that they do not take the time to analyze the situation. Decisions based on fear (uncertainty and doubt) lead to regrettable choices…
Majority of population wants to be lead, wants to be told what to do, and wants to trade their freedom for the illusion of security. Remember the “teach me to fish” story … majority wants to have the fish served to them … which eventually has to end in a collapse, or at least a “correction”.
I believe that the greatest commodity of the information age is trust. If I could believe that you will never take advantage of me for a quick gain, that you will always consider my benefit first, why would I shop anywhere else? Can you imagine the power of an incorruptible seal of authenticity?
That’s what the judicial and governmental systems are supposed to stand for. But they no longer do. We now have the best congress money can buy …
So do you want it fast, cheap, and good? And how do I know that I can trust you?
Lots of great comments!
More commentary - Less said
More looking without - Less looking within
[Looking for "Truth" in all the wrong Places]
More DOing - Less BEing
And as a ‘Salute’ to my Fellow Vets this Veterans Day …
… More people “Squaking” about Freedom
Fewer stepping up to Fight for it
More desire for patience - Less respect
Another Paradox:
The more tools for communication, the less actual communication.
We have phones, cellphones, email, instant messaging, SMS’s, MME’s, Skype, Websites, IRC, WebCams, presentations, whiteboards, response forms, faxes, postal services, telegrams, word processors, blogs, TV, radio, DVD, tapes, CD’s, records, MP3 players etc etc
And daily new forms of communication are being invented. Why? To fill the demand for more effective communication.
But, the more tools we have, the more noise, the more messages, the greater the twitter, the less the actual communication.
Could it be because the greater part of communication is actually non verbal and we are losing that in the electronic age?
Could it be that communication is not merely shouting a message across? But that communication only happens when you have the focus of the receiving party. And when the receiving party is receptive, on the same mental plane as the communicator? And that communication is only successful when the receiving party has been empowered by the communication!
I spent several years in the military, and the plethora of modern communications reminds me of a parade ground where dozens of drill instructers are each shouting commands at the top of their voices. Yes, the individual squads are responding to the sounds in a totally robotic fashion. But the effective level of communication on the parade ground? Zero!
Another example - tune into the evangelical broadcast stations. A raging pastor screams a sermon to a motionless audience. How many people really receive and digest and empower themselves with that message? Put in another way, if they really, really got the message, applied it and executed it, they would not be sitting in that audience! Thus - the effective level of communication in that example is nil. Or very close to nil.
We are smarter but not wiser.
The search for paradoxes continues ad infinitum.Attention deficit is the root cause of much of the time wasted on repeat learning known by various names.The greatest of paradoxes is however that there is enough food and other resources in this world for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed! If only we pay adequate ATTENTION TO THIS ASPECT, THERE WOULD BE A BETTER WORLD FOR ALL TO LIVE IN.
As Ravi said, it’s been said before in old days. It’s the attitude toward the experience that really counts. And everything that we experience will lead to greater knowledge and eventual wisdom. And wisdom in the highest sense leads to love.
The greater our wisdom the greater our survival the greater our universe expands. When one is successful, it is a pleasurable experience and when one is unsuccessful, it is a painful experience. We learn.
But regardless, experiences give us comparisons in order to determine what is the best course of action to take that will lead to success. And all that we are reading on these comments good, bad or indifferent on how we see our world, add to our knowledge base that we can cast out what may not have much value and keep what has good value.
Keep on writing and thanks for listening.
Raul
Although an interesting observation, there is nothing surprising about most of these phenomena. A majority of them have to do with the fundamentum of quality decreasing with the growth of supply. This isn’t a rule of thumb, but common observation. Entry barriers go down, which gets lots of players to show up and there’s nothing to pre-qualify them.
Also, the “more commercials- less viewers” and some other paradoxes relate to the good old long-tail. They should read “less viewers per medium”…