I read Charity Finance magazines to make sure that I am familiar with the latest legislation and trends within the charity sector. I read a Saturday newspaper and The Week to try and keep up with current affairs. I read the Hawktalk newsletter to make sure I haven’t missed anything at the park. Yet, I still have the feeling that I might be missing something.

There are things out there that I have no interest in keeping in my head. The latest reality TV show winner for example leaves me cold but just because I’m not interested does that mean I can get away with not knowing about it? I don’t mean in-depth knowledge but I suppose I should be able to make passing reference to it or at the very least to spot someone else’s reference to it.

I keep half an ear to popular music trends but I have to admit that I have shifted from Radio 1 to Radio 2 and the likes of Chris Evans and Terry Wogan, and have no idea who is the current number one in the charts.

What about motor cars? The only time I do any research in this area is when I’m looking to replace my current one. I wonder if that’s enough. Clarkson and friends of Top Gear can be mildly amusing but when they start talking technical I find my brain is unable to retain such useful information. And anyway, a Lamborghini is rather out of my league!

Do you know the difference between a Plasma screen and a LCD screen for your next telly? I confess that I do not, although I have been reliably informed that LCD is the better of the two. (Stores play High Definition DVDs on the Plasma ones to make them look better!)

So, I guess the question I’m asking is: how up to date does one need to be?

Coz, it’s an ongoing process isn’t it? You can’t get away with doing it once. Being up to date as at 31st March 2008 is all very well but doesn’t count as up to date a week later.

The answer is that, if I want to be taking a useful part in any aspect of life and/or work, I need to be constantly reviewing and revising my levels of awareness and knowledge.

And isn’t the web just the most fantastic resource?!

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