Comments on: Bonus Post: How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Months http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/ Decoding Patterns of Success Mon, 21 May 2012 04:29:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Months | The King is Born http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24875 How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Months | The King is Born Tue, 31 May 2011 02:34:24 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24875 [...] How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Months (Study Hack) - Following up his last concept article of “Living without Email” he explains how he has been able to live his life and only check his email once every 3 months. [...]

[...] How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Months (Study Hack) – Following up his last concept article of “Living without Email” he explains how he has been able to live his life and only check his email once every 3 months. [...]

]]> By: Articles of the Week: 2011 Looks A Lot Like... | Stocks on Wall Street http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24862 Articles of the Week: 2011 Looks A Lot Like... | Stocks on Wall Street Sat, 28 May 2011 12:11:42 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24862 [...] How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Only Checks His Email Once Every Three Months [...]

[...] How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Only Checks His Email Once Every Three Months [...]

]]> By: Jeff Barr’s Blog » Links for Monday, May 23 ,2011 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24835 Jeff Barr’s Blog » Links for Monday, May 23 ,2011 Mon, 23 May 2011 17:35:40 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24835 [...] Study Hacks: How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Mo... - “For some jobs, e-mail hinders your ability to perform at your peak. In such situations, it would seem, as Professor Knuth has concluded, you might have an professional obligation to stop using highly distracting electronic communication.“ [...]

[...] Study Hacks: How the World’s Most Famous Computer Scientist Checks E-mail Only Once Every Three Mo… – “For some jobs, e-mail hinders your ability to perform at your peak. In such situations, it would seem, as Professor Knuth has concluded, you might have an professional obligation to stop using highly distracting electronic communication.“ [...]

]]> By: Sandeep http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24778 Sandeep Thu, 12 May 2011 18:48:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24778 Even it is good to be too famous and not use mail. Those not well versed with technology definitely have trouble in understanding what is e-mail. Even it is good to be too famous and not use mail. Those not well versed with technology definitely have trouble in understanding what is e-mail.

]]> By: Larry http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24773 Larry Wed, 11 May 2011 22:10:49 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24773 Nice first few paragraphs! Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish reading because I kept being interrupted by incoming emails. =( Nice first few paragraphs! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish reading because I kept being interrupted by incoming emails. =(

]]> By: Joe User http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24770 Joe User Wed, 11 May 2011 19:00:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24770 I love all the people who talk about wasted resources. If someone is willing to pay for a resource, and then uses that resource differently than someone else might use that resource, somehow that's a waste? Economically speaking something is only a waste when someone pays more for something than the value that person receives for that thing. If I want to run the bathroom sink while I shave and brush my teeth I am most definitely not wasting water. I am using the water that I paid for in a way that is pleasing to me. If I want to pay to print emails so that I don't have to sit in front of a fucking computer then it is not a waste to do so either. I love all the people who talk about wasted resources.

If someone is willing to pay for a resource, and then uses that resource differently than someone else might use that resource, somehow that’s a waste?

Economically speaking something is only a waste when someone pays more for something than the value that person receives for that thing.

If I want to run the bathroom sink while I shave and brush my teeth I am most definitely not wasting water. I am using the water that I paid for in a way that is pleasing to me.

If I want to pay to print emails so that I don’t have to sit in front of a fucking computer then it is not a waste to do so either.

]]> By: Scott http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24769 Scott Wed, 11 May 2011 18:44:59 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24769 I had a boss once like this. He didn't use a computer - didn't even have a computer in his office. But he had a secretary who received emails for him and printed them for his review, and typed in his hand-written replies. I agree with those that say Knuth in fact DOES use email, he just gets his poor secretary to do the work we all do. He ignores some, defers some, and handles some immediately. Doesn't matter that the email addresses he uses has his actual name on it or not - he still uses them. I have 3000 unread emails in my gmail for this very reason. <blockquote> "I have a wonderful secretary who looks at the incoming mail and separates out anything that she knows I’ve been looking forward to seeing urgently. Everything else goes into a buffer storage area, which I empty periodically." </blockquote> He uses email. He's just outsources the use of an email client to someone else. Smart guy. I had a boss once like this. He didn’t use a computer – didn’t even have a computer in his office. But he had a secretary who received emails for him and printed them for his review, and typed in his hand-written replies.

I agree with those that say Knuth in fact DOES use email, he just gets his poor secretary to do the work we all do. He ignores some, defers some, and handles some immediately. Doesn’t matter that the email addresses he uses has his actual name on it or not – he still uses them. I have 3000 unread emails in my gmail for this very reason.

“I have a wonderful secretary who looks at the incoming mail and separates out anything that she knows I’ve been looking forward to seeing urgently. Everything else goes into a buffer storage area, which I empty periodically.”

He uses email. He’s just outsources the use of an email client to someone else. Smart guy.

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Lab Notes: I Spent 42 Hours Last Month on the Activity Most Critical to My Success http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24750 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Lab Notes: I Spent 42 Hours Last Month on the Activity Most Critical to My Success Tue, 10 May 2011 19:36:49 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-24750 [...] Lightman, Donald Knuth, Neal Stephensen, and Leo Babauta, for example, all gave up (public) e-mail. I realize now that [...]

[...] Lightman, Donald Knuth, Neal Stephensen, and Leo Babauta, for example, all gave up (public) e-mail. I realize now that [...]

]]> By: Messi http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-14625 Messi Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:45:56 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-14625 I don't see the point of not operating on email. Email is obviously an easier and more convenient way to communicate, as snail mail and phone calls may take extra time. In addition, processing all the mail and paying a secretary to do that is a waste of resources and even more time. I don’t see the point of not operating on email. Email is obviously an easier and more convenient way to communicate, as snail mail and phone calls may take extra time. In addition, processing all the mail and paying a secretary to do that is a waste of resources and even more time.

]]> By: Jeremy Leader http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-12607 Jeremy Leader Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:18:37 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/17/bonus-post-how-the-worlds-most-famous-computer-scientist-checks-e-mail-only-once-every-three-months/#comment-12607 I think the key here is making a conscious choice. Knuth has consciously chosen his approaches to email and other forms of communication that work for *him*. Don't get hung up on the details of what works for him, follow his larger example by thinking about what will work best for *you*. Just because your email client can make a noise or pop up a box to alert you to new messages, or your phone has a ringer, or "everyone else" works or communicates in a certain way, doesn't mean that you should just blindly let those things rule your work day. I think the key here is making a conscious choice. Knuth has consciously chosen his approaches to email and other forms of communication that work for *him*. Don’t get hung up on the details of what works for him, follow his larger example by thinking about what will work best for *you*. Just because your email client can make a noise or pop up a box to alert you to new messages, or your phone has a ringer, or “everyone else” works or communicates in a certain way, doesn’t mean that you should just blindly let those things rule your work day.

]]>