Turn the radio up for that sweet sound

In espionage movies, government agencies put their spies on a need to know basis.

Their clearance to access sensitive data will gets restricted because it’s not necessary for them to conduct their mission.

Computer operating systems have something similar with a feature called the discretionary access control mechanism. This determines whether a user is granted access to a certain file. Considering how many different pieces of data are dynamically competing for finite user interface space on the computer, it makes sense for the machine to prioritize.

Both of these are examples of setting strong intellectual boundaries. And in a world where information is coming at us from every possible angle, faster than our constitutions can possibly handle, it might be a good idea for each of us to put ourselves on a need to know basis as well.

The prime example is with transportation delays.

Imagine you’re commuting to work, the train stops midway through the tunnel, and the conductor comes over the loudspeaker with one of his useless, vague stock phrases:

Attention passengers, we are delayed because of train traffic ahead of us. The train is currently being held momentarily by our dispatcher. Also there is a vomiting feral cat inside of the front car, the police are attempting to remove the animal, and when they do, we can move again.

Meanwhile, inside the subway cars, announcements are greeted with predictable rolled eyes, audible groans and other violent expressions of frustration and anxiety.

But the thing is, we don’t need to know that. Nobody does. Conductors may be obligated to tell us it, and passengers may want to hear it to justify their anger and have a believable excuse for being late to work, but let’s not shit ourselves here.

If we had put ourselves on a need to know basis, the pointless reason for a train’s sixty second delay would not qualify. Because knowing that information does not simplify or improve our daily existence, it only complicates it.

The same thing goes with the airlines, whose announcements always start with the classic two word hedge, well folks…

Well folks…our flight has been delayed due to hail the size of cantaloupes.

Well folks…our flight is currently experiencing a maintenance delay after a member of the ground crew got sucked into the engine.

Well folks…the flight crew has arrived at the gate, but the ground crew is running about seventeen minutes behind, and our new departure time is approximately eleven. We’ll update you as soon as we know more information.

There has never been a more convincing argument for noise cancelling headphones. What better way to put ourselves on a need to know basis?

And surely our egos will have a problem with this protest, as it wants clarity and certainty and control. Heaven forbid we miss out on something.

Activate fomo censor in three, two, one, engage.

However, what our reptilian brain doesn’t want us to know is, every piece of information is not a crisis. There are so few emergencies in this life.

And so, do your nervous system a favor. Put yourself on a need to know basis. Information isn’t power, it’s an overwhelming burden.

Next time the announcement comes over the horn, remember the words of the great eighties pop song.

Turn the radio up for that sweet sound, hold me close, never let me go, keep this feeling alive, make me lose control. 

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Where do you need to put yourself on a need to know basis?