[WTPayne]

Information overload is definitely a problem; too many disparate pieces of information, too many new languages and technologies to learn, too many priorities at work; too many interruptions... (too much caffeine) all of this leaves me in a constant state of near-panic. What I feel I really need is a sort of automated PA / life coach; to help prioritize (home & work), schedule; simplify and motivate. Something that takes the clutter and noise of the world and blocks most of it out, most of the time, feeding me what I need to know, when I need to know it, and keeping me on track.

Yesterday, Joel Spolsky talked about Software Inventory (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2012/07/09.html), and mentioned a minimalistic project management tool that he would like to see made called "Five Things". Well, I think that we have a bigger problem of Intellectual Inventory - a glut of information, too many books, academic papers and articles that sit on the to-read list, all relevant, all interesting, and not enough time left in our life to digest it all. (It is true ... I did the sums - I have about 300 years worth of reading in my backlog)

So here is my problem: Intellectual Inventory management; productivity optimization; focus management.