# A Classification of How People Consume Information and How It Affects Their Work

DevFeed: [A Classification of How People Consume Information and How It Affects Their Work](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/io-people-classification-30356.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.mdubakov.com/posts/io-people-classification/>)

Published: 2016-11-08T15:41:57Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Blog by Michael Dubakov](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-by-michael-dubakov.md>)

Topics: [Learning](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/learning.md>), [IO](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/io.md>), [Job](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/job.md>)

Tags: [developer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/developer.md>), [information](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/information.md>), [job](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/job.md>), [learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/learning.md>)

## AI overview

This opinion piece classifies people by how they consume information and whether they turn that information into action at work. It describes types including the Void, Gut, Abyss, Sponge, and Developer, while linking learning habits to workplace behavior.

## Source excerpt

This post is an attempt to create a classification of how people consume information and how it affects their work. Void: No input > No output This person is a master of ignorance. He doesn't read books that contain new knowledge, he doesn't visit conferences, doesn't watch videos, doesn't do online courses. He stops learning right after graduation with a strong belief that he learnt everything he needs (and probably he's right). If he reads something -- it's a fiction. It he watches something -- it's a TV-show or a blockbuster. If he visits YouTube channel -- it's Fail Army. All incoming information validated for a single purpose -- entertain. Validation filter becomes very advanced with time and around forties there is close to zero chance to let new information in. This type of person doesn't do much. His work is usually unchallenging and somewhat repetitive. He likes huge corporations where political games and dark corners of ancient divisions allow to survive and even move up the ladder sometimes. Hot spot: Middle manager. Gut: Some input > Action output Learn almost nothing, but somehow do things quite OK. Has supernatural ability to absorb information from the world via osmotic communication. He learns by doing and hates theoretical discussions. However, he do like examples and can somewhat generalize based on them. Hot spot: Middle QA engineer. Abyss: Input > No output This is a weird personality. He reads about everything and knows quite a lot. Unfortunately, all the knowledge carefully kept inside. He is quite lazy and doesn't like challenging tasks. The information inside puts pressure on his mind. He always unhappy about everything and usually grumpy. Life sucks. Existential crisis is real. Hot spot: Bench. Sponge: Input > .Squeeze > Output Absorbs information like a sponge. In some special mood can be quite productive, but he should be squeezed to shine. Direct orders, gentle pushes, flattery and all other manipulations are acceptable to help Sponge overcom