The Lineup
Peggy Northrop
February 5, 2009, 12:04 PM Give Me the Reader's Digest Version Of ... By Peggy Northrop

There's a blogger I sometimes follow who wrote recently that "the Internet is full." Obviously he didn't mean literally full-that's impossible. But his brain is clearly as full as mine is. I watch more hours of news on TV, read more disparate sources of information, listen to more radio and stay in touch with more people via email than ever before. Does it make me feel happier, smarter, more up to date? Um... on balance I'd have to say no.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I love all my gadgets. I love that my daughter text-messages to tell me she got a 90 in chemistry, that my mom and dad and cousins play Scrabble with me on Facebook, that I can type emails on my Blackberry while waiting in line at the drugstore. I love finding my favorite piano music on Pandora, and reading news from my hometown of Washington, Pennsylvania, in bed with my laptop.

 

But some days I feel like my head is going to explode! Clearly,  I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed. In fact, recently I've noticed an uptick in the use of a phrase that's dear to my heart: "Give me the Reader's Digest version."

 

I've heard broadcasters use it as they try to untangle the financial meltdown mess. Techies (the nice ones) use it when they're trying to explain a new computer application. I've even heard it from job seekers: "The Reader's Digest version of my career...." 

 

In this environment, it's good to be known as the source of short, sweet, easily digestible info. And since my job is to deliver more of exactly that, I'm starting this blog-to ask for your help and participation.  What do you wish we would give the Reader's Digest Version, 30-second, give-it-to-me-straight treatment? Send me your questions. Better yet, send me your answers. Especially if you can explain what went wrong with the bank bailout in 25 words or less....!   

 
Newer Post Oh, Cheer Up!
Share Your Comments
Name
Comment
Remaining Character Count:
 
By hornet63390, 02/21/2009, 3:40 AM EST
Dear Peggy, I have 2 comments. First there is to much time between magazines. I have to long to wait for the next one to be delivered. Second is whats called out on the cover is sometimes hard to find inside. Like March 2009 cover "How to slash your mortgage payment", where is it inside? It's not called out in the index.
By askMarty, 02/20/2009, 5:54 PM EST
Dear Peggy: How could you talk about jobs in the latest issue when RD is laying off and outsourcing IT and most departments? Why not write about that! It use to be a good wholesome company but it is imploding as of late. I heard the latest RD ploy is to lay off employees and hire consultants, most likely so they don’t have to pay benefits. Can you say lawsuit?
By GLHoffman, 02/19/2009, 9:50 AM EST
Congratulations on the article Your Next Job. I thought it was very well done. However, you did leave out one new and awesome site for job seekers today, that is www.LINKUP.com, which finds and displays only jobs from company websites, their career sections. These jobs are not even advertised in other places, no other job boards do this as a service for job seekers. Just thought you would like to know, Keep up the good work, GL Hoffman chairman, LinkUp Minneapolis, MN www.digyourjob.com which contains information about my new career handbook DIG YOUR JOB. www.WhatWouldDadSay.com is my blog about this topic. which is in the top ten of all career blogs, worldwide.
By apronpockets, 02/13/2009, 8:51 AM EST
Dear Peggy, .. on the third day of a virus and my sleep patterns are off, I was up last night and read the complete RD for June 2008. How timely!!!! With the elections behind; politicians and coporate heads sneaking off with our money; and Dustin Hoffman just making me smile. I think as a 55 year old mother of two adult children, a wife of a full time hard working husband and a former mother earth (can't I still be one?).... the nice thing about RD is it's size and timelessness. Vote yes.
By annablee, 02/11/2009, 1:57 PM EST
This blog is just adding more to the info overload. Do we really need it? Is it adding anything? I vote no.
By marchant, 02/09/2009, 2:34 PM EST
Personally, I love all the crowded, over-the-top info. that comes at you from all directions. I am not interested whether it makes me smarter, or better informed, or even happier.Sometimes, basic news items are misleading. A fuller coverage can give a better perspective. Read and watch what interests you. The point is that you can switch off from all of it anytime it suits you.Try it!
By EICPeggy, 02/09/2009, 1:37 PM EST
momdeb2's dilemma is also mine. It's hard enough putting my own Blackberry in the drawer without having to wrestle the kids' for their laptops. But I HAVE found pockets of no-service. Long may they remain... Love your Reader's Digest Versions of the bank bailout mess. Though execution likely expensive, don't you think?? :)
By RedHatQueen, 02/09/2009, 1:19 PM EST
Bank Bailout was not meant to provide CEO's with MORE while banks got LESS. You cannot stimulate an economy by making the Rich RICHER!
By ColCass, 02/09/2009, 1:14 PM EST
How to solve Economy's Problem: Nationalize all Financial Institutions. Draft all managers into National Service. Select weakest, most corrupt, say ten and Publicly Execute them. Financial Criclus
By momdeb2, 02/08/2009, 9:42 PM EST
It does all seem to be too much sometimes. We went tent camping last summer and had wi fi at our campground. So much for getting away from it all!
About This Blog

The Lineup is our blog of lists that cover topics like health, money, career and books. Written by Reader's Digest editors and guest experts, The Lineup will give you great advice you can use in your daily life.


Advertisement
Archive