The Abundance Problem
We live in an age of infinite content. Every day, thousands of articles, courses, and resources compete for your attention. The challenge isn't finding information—it's finding the *right* information.
This is where curation becomes essential.
What Curation Really Means
Curation isn't just collecting. It's a deliberate process of:
- **Filtering**: Separating signal from noise
- **Evaluating**: Assessing quality and relevance
- **Organizing**: Creating structure for retrieval
- **Maintaining**: Updating and pruning over time
The curator's job is to say "no" far more often than "yes."
The Signal Test
Before adding anything to your collection, apply the signal test:
Is the author a practitioner?
Theory from practitioners beats theory from observers. Look for people who've done the work, not just studied it.
Has this aged well?
Content published 5+ years ago that's still relevant has proven its value. New content needs time to prove itself.
Does it solve a specific problem?
Vague inspiration fades. Specific, actionable guidance endures.
Would you recommend this to a colleague?
If you wouldn't stake your reputation on it, why add it to your library?
Building Your Filter
Your curation filter is personal. It develops through:
Experience: The more you read, the faster you recognize quality
Feedback: Track what you actually revisit vs. what gathers dust
Iteration: Refine your criteria as your needs evolve
Trust your filter. If something feels like noise, it probably is.
The Curation Habit
Make curation a regular practice:
- **Weekly**: Review what you consumed. Save only the best.
- **Monthly**: Audit your collection. Remove what no longer serves.
- **Quarterly**: Identify gaps. What topics need better coverage?
Consistency beats intensity. Small, regular efforts compound.
Quality Over Quantity
A library of 100 carefully curated resources beats 10,000 bookmarks you'll never revisit.
The goal is a collection where every piece earns its place—where you could open any resource and find immediate value.
This takes discipline. It takes saying no. But the result is a personal library that actually serves you.