In the championship playoffs of professional learning tools, this author contends that there is a clear-cut victor. Customizable, platform-agnostic, able to circumvent filters--both browser and network-imposed--RSS is the best professional learning tool. Reading sites via RSS has appeal for those who want the raw information. With a well-honed professional learning network delivering itself via RSS reader, the chore of monitoring a diverse array of blogs and websites becomes a luxurious learning experience. And since using RSS allows one to personalize his/her news consumption so precisely, it is entirely possible to excise the mainstream media. As information professionals esteem balance, and as they create their own filters, the author suggests that they must maintain awareness of the limitations of their filters as well. Modeling an efficient and productive way to manage professional awareness while taming information overload will give their faculties something to aspire toward. (Contains 2 figures.)