Leon van Kammen
Rinsema’s saying, “veel waarnemen is weinig in zich opnemen,” (dutch) which translates to “observing much is absorbing little,” highlights the distinction between the quantity and quality of information processing. It suggests that a superficial observation of many things leads to a lack of profound understanding. Eventhough Rinsema was a classical painter, this idea can be applied to various modern domains.
Text as a Carrier
In the age of information overload, text is the primary carrier of knowledge. We read headlines, scan articles, and scroll through feeds, but we rarely take the time to truly process the content. The rapid consumption of text means we absorb facts and opinions without critical reflection. This is a direct consequence of Rinsema’s idea: the speed and quantity of what we perceive undermine our ability to deeply absorb and comprehend the information.
Social Media
Social media perfectly exemplifies this principle. Users are exposed to a constant stream of images, videos, and short texts. The multitude of stimuli and the short attention spans they foster make it nearly impossible to pause and reflect on the content. We see thousands of images but remember none of them. The “observing much” in the form of endless scrolling stands in stark contrast to the “absorbing little” of the fleeting content.
Virtual Reality (VR)
In virtual reality (VR), we can experience fully immersive environments, but here too lies the danger of superficiality. A VR experience can be so rich and detailed that the user is overwhelmed by the perceptions. The abundance of visual and auditory information can distract from the deeper meaning or narrative. The experience then becomes a passive observation of an environment rather than an active interaction that leads to new insight.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) adds digital information to the physical world. The user sees both the real environment and virtual elements. While this has the potential for enrichment, it can also lead to fragmented perception. Attention is divided between two realities, making it difficult to fully embrace the deeper context of either. The continuous flow of extra information can hinder the ability to concentrate on the core of the physical or virtual task.
Large Language Model (LLM) Users
Large Language Models (LLMs) like Gemini and ChatGPT offer an inexhaustible source of information. Users can get answers to complex questions in seconds. This can lead to a false assumption of knowledge. One observes (reads the generated answer) but absorbs little (does not understand the underlying nuances, the source, or the limitations). The dependence on the AI’s output can erode critical thinking and one’s own ability to acquire and process knowledge.
Large Codebases
In software development, large codebases are a common phenomenon. Programmers often have to read through vast amounts of code written by others. The “observing much” of hundreds or thousands of lines of code can overwhelm the developer. Without taking the time and effort to truly understand the architecture and logic, it is difficult to make effective changes or implement new features. This often leads to superficial solutions that cause further problems because the deeper structure of the codebase has not been “absorbed.”
Academic World
The academic world is often seen as the place of profound knowledge. But Rinsema’s statement also applies here. Academics read countless publications and articles yearly to stay up to date. The pressure to publish a lot leads to a focus on quantity over quality. The danger is that one misses the essence of the literature, instead merely absorbing summaries and results without truly grasping the methodology and deeper implications. The “observation” of much research does not then lead to an “absorption” of true wisdom.
Solutions to Mitigate the Rinsema Effect
To counteract this effect in modern life, perhaps we must deliberately shift our focus from quantity to quality. We can stick to a search-based attitude to steer quantity-tools, to arrive at mindful consumption, which involves actively choosing what we engage with and minimizing distractions. Instead of endlessly scrolling, we can select a single article and read it in its entirety, taking notes or reflecting on its key points. When using LLMs, we can use them as a starting point, but then take the time to verify and deeply explore the information they provide through multiple sources. In large-scale creative or academic work, like coding or research, we should prioritize understanding the foundational principles and core logic before diving into the details. By consciously slowing down our intake and actively engaging with the content, we can transform mere observation into genuine absorption, turning a passive flow of information into a source of real knowledge and wisdom.