I’m Feeded Up, Goodbye Non Essential Subscriptions
On the back of an article I read recently via Khoi Vinh’s archives at Subtraction, I’m taking on the much needed task of de-cluttering one of the most important information sources in my daily realm, RSS feeds.
Over the past few months since my last cleanup I’ve accumulated hundreds of new feeds, picking up more and more as each day passes. I’ve finally come to my senses that one can have too much information coming in at once. It really isn’t a good feeling.
How about keeping it simple and just subscribing to fewer feeds? Do we really need to ingest content from 100 sources? And do we really need more software to make managing our addiction easier?
It’s about priority. Come on, these are feeds—they aren’t children. You can toss a lot out without shedding a tear. You won’t miss them once you make the effort to forget them.
JF over at 37 Signals states an inspiring fact as pulled above, do we need content coming in from so many different sources, many just re-stating what others have already said? Probably not. Are we going to miss feeds if we make an effort not to? Surely not. He makes a great point which really inspires me to remove not only unessential RSS feeds, but clean up other aspects of my life.
RSS feeds don’t need to take up hours of your life each day, they can easily be slimmed down without much loss on your part. Do you really need all that extra stress of knowing you have dozens of unread posts to catch on from Engadget when you wake up, after your lunch, and then again before you head to bed? Think about it hard, if something really is important in the news, you’ll hear about it elsewhere.
#1
David Finch → www.davidsfinch.com
Glenn, I said the same thing to myself today. I’m tired of hours spent reading feeds or what I’m guilty of is saving them to read later… which never happens.
Less information can only mean more time!
#2
Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net
Sounds familiar.
Jokes aside, I hardly have any time to read my feeds.
#3
Jon-Michael → www.jstamant.com
Great insight as always Glenn. I recently cut out many of my feeds, however, your blog still made the cut. I think that it is essential to point out that feeds are great to digest short amounts of information quickly. What strikes me as interesting is that because of this people are writing less in-depth content and not expounding on their points enough because they know people rarely make it out of their feed readers. I think people should spend more time on the author’s site and get the “full experience.”
I would also like to suggest that you let us know what you kept/are planning to keep. If you have some many feeds then there is a chance that you are reading blogs that many others aren’t but may need to check out. I know I would be interested in that. Come on Glenn perpetuate the cycle!
#4
jayp80Glenn I totally agree that it’s a good idea to limit the amount of feeds one has. The trick that has worked for me is to keep no more than 3 feeds per subject. Which means I have a total of 15. Another thing I do which works for me is to say I’ll spend 5 minutes reading feeds. Once the 5 is up then I mark everything as read, even stuff I’ve just skimmed. i’d rather have an empty feed section then one with 300+ waiting and knowing I’ll never get through them anyways.
Quick question. How’s the swap to mobility working for you? I’ve noticed that you haven’t written as much as usual. You must be busy with all the freedom. LOL.
#5
Jordan Chark → jordanchark.com
By any chance could you upload an OPML copy of your feeds? I’ve really been pondering this ideology lately and thought I’d give it a try, yet I barely even have the time to cut down my current, monstrous, list of subscriptions.
Anyways, I’m sure we read the same stuff. :P Regardless, if you don’t wanna upload, just email them to me.
#6
Shawn Blanc → shawnblanc.net
Glenn, I swear I read this article in your feed a few months ago. Ah well.
I too am feeded up. But sort-of backwards.I deleted some old feeds and am on the look out for some new content. Speaking of which, J.M., you ought to start writing again.
#7
Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk
I only have many feed maybe about 5 feeds. No need for a declutering. Even thou im sure half of the ste re never updated any more i have blogs that havent made posts in like a good two or three months!
#8
Philip D.Glenn, what are your thoughts on this?
http://www.applematters.com/index.php/section/comments/a-bad-pr-stunt/
#9
Blair BeckwithHmm, a good idea indeed. I myself only have a relatively small number of feeds; Yours, MacRumors, Chris Pirillo, Lockergnome, and Slashdot.
In find they pretty much get me any needed information.
#10
Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk
What kind of sites do you subscribe to?
All my feeds are on my iGoogle homepage and the include a game, gMails (haha), this site, jemjabella.co.uk, boagworld.com, kevinrose.com, WebDesignerWall.com, silentbobspeaks.com (my boring ass life),HappyWebbies.com, web-design-book.com and my horoscope (because i get bored, dont relaly beleivce in them but some times they can be uncani)! and last but no least my own rss feed that im trying to code! (not working yet)
#11
DustySpeaking of ‘unsubscribing’ from irrelevant feeds, consider this my last visit to your site. You are a fraud.
http://expressionengine.com/forums/viewthread/65867/
#12
JimYou obviously don’t think too highly of your readers if you are willing to pretend to hack your own blog for a few PR points. I hope it was worth it.
#13
Blair BeckwithDusty, Jim, stfu.
#14
Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk
Blair, FCKU
HAHA, everyone knows that was friiken shady of glenn!
#15
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Grant. Tone it down, yes, it was “shady” of me but I’ve explained myself and apologized. Take this as a warning, there is no need for you to be aggressive toward other commenters.
#16
Jehadyeah i did the same thing recently, cleared out about 40 useless feeds! its interesting to see what you used to read lol