Here are the key takeaways from the TED talk "Creating Headspace in this Age of Information" by John Roberts
We live in an age of information overload, where the amount of information created every two days now exceeds all the information created from the dawn of civilization up until 2003. At the same time, human attention spans have shrunk to just 8 seconds.
This information overload threatens our ability to think deeply and creatively. We need "headspace" - the ability for our brains to process information and generate solutions.
To create more headspace, we need to shape our physical, psychological, and metaphysical environments. Physically, we need both "campfires" (open collaborative spaces) and "caves" (quiet focused spaces) in our workplaces. Bringing nature indoors also helps creativity.
Psychologically, we need to stop avoiding deep thinking and instead deliberately make time for it. Rather than fear missing out on information, we should sometimes joyfully miss out by having tech-free days.
Metaphysically, we need to realize time is elastic. We can make time for what matters by being deliberate about our priorities. Fixed headspace times can create focus.
Ultimately, we must move from the age of information to the age of insight. We need less information and more focus on what really matters. Celebrating headspace will make us more perceptive and help us find better solutions.