“The internet is [now] showing us what it thinks we want to see, but not necessarily what we need to see.”

In the video above, Eli Pariser brings up a great question: is getting what we want, how we want it, all the time actually good for us in the long run?  We all understand this concept in every day choices such as fueling our bodies with healthy food. But what about when it comes to searching the internet? When we type in a search term on Google, we already know what types of results we want to pop up on the next page. And the scary part is, so does Google. And without telling us, it only feeds us the answers we are looking for in the name of faster, smarter search. And Google is not the only one. Amazon.com, and of course other retail-based sites, are notorious for this. When was the last time you went to Amazon without being inundated with “recommendations for you” that are eerily close to what you are looking for?

Granted, this is great for companies marketing products to specific audiences. But looking at the big picture through the video above, maybe a tailor-made internet that constantly feeds us what we want to see isn’t good for us after all.

What do you think — does smarter internet actually do us a disservice?

Life changing moments typically come in unlikely places. I had one in the gym of all places a few years back. I was doing my regularly lift routine (working on my amazing triceps) when a friend/mentor of mine came over and asked what I was doing?

“Well, isn’t it obvious? I’m lifting weights,” I replied.

“No, what’s your goal with this little routine you’re doing?” he said.

Annoyed by the obvious question, I gave an obvious response… “To do 3 sets of 10.”

“Really? That’s your goal?” he said as if I was a moron.

Then it hit me. It was simple. And I was missing it. I had been rushing my entire workout routine for - who knows how long - to simply get it done. In numerous ways, I was wasting my time. Why take an hour out of my day if I was not going to actually make use of it? I left the gym that day with one word on my mind…

Intentionality. A phrase (and story) that makes it way into my mind at least once a day. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever wondered what makes an inspirational leader and what makes people follow them and believe in them? Simon Sinek thinks he has found the link and shares his theory in this must see TedX video. After watching, tell us what you think about the Golden Circle. What leaders inspire you or with whom do you wish you could work?