As an exorbitant amount of news hits the stands, er, Web browser, every second, there is a continually urgent agenda pushed on everyone with a pulse. Speak quickly, speak effectively and speak often — this is how the 21st century world of news works.

It’s about being the fastest. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s not about being the most thorough, objective and factual; as long as you spit it out first, you’re the best. Thankfully, there are the slow bloggers. A movement comprised for the love of fully baked thoughts and the rejection of immediacy.

There is something, no, there are a lot of things that are really awesome about the age we live in and how quickly we can have everyone’s attention. But this is not an excuse to cut corners and turn everything into a one-liner. Attention spans are failing and we’re letting them; actually, we’re probably making them worse. It’s a matter of flair being taken over substance.

Here’s a novel concept: sounding coherent, well-thought-out and explicit. When you take a second to let something sink in, you really think about it before making a statement. Even in their infinite amount, don’t take a single pixel for granted. As aforementioned, have a fully baked thought.

The slow foods movement banks on similar principles (I’m looking at you, organic loving hipsters). There is something beautiful and worthwhile in a well-crafted meal in comparison to the less-than-one-minute service you receive at Taco Bell. The slow food movement believes fast food is destroying tradition and healthy eating. The same rules apply to writing. When consuming, you need to have real sustenance behind what you read on a regular basis, like you need regular nutrients from what you eat. You can’t continue without all your vitamins, and you can’t continue just reading headlines for all your news.

Think of it as literary yoga or meditation. There’s a time and place for fast-paced, and it’s overtaking all facets of our life. Slow down.

Matthew Colwell is a junior integrated language arts major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].