As a whole, are we on information overload?
Have you seen the (Bing.com) television commercial where a person is asked a simple question and the poor soul responds by rattling off all of the information they inadvertently received while doing a simple search on the internet? Cracks me up!
But, is it funny? Are we on overload?
Years ago I decided I could step off of the band wagon. I thought I never needed to learn anything related to modern technology again. Uh-huh…you can see how that worked out for me (Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, WordPress, Blogger, Google, Bing, You Tube, Hot Frog, website, mobile phone upgrades, digital camera upgrades, internet provider upgrades…). With an online business there are wants, and there are real needs.
Most of us love to learn, so can we really be subjected to too much information? You might think twice after reading Wikipedia’s definition of information overload (and I copy): “Information overload” is a term coined by Alvin Toffler which refers to an excess amount of information being provided, making processing and absorbing tasks very difficult for the individual because sometimes we cannot see the validity behind the information.”
With the ease of the newest devices, and endless information at our finger-tips, along comes multi-tasking, and the breakdown in efficiency. Less really can be more. Can the brain only process a certain amount of information?
Believe me, I am not complaining. The world (and learning) is awesome! But perhaps that is why I wake up and pray, and meditate, and repeat again. No, that has to do with my faith in God…but let me tell you, it feels good to plant my feet on the ground and center myself. No piece of equipment is going with me when I leave this world, is it? Neither is the Internet.
Hmmmm….
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
“No piece of equipment is going with me when I leave this world”, ain’t that the truth?
I have been contemplating the non-stop communication we are being told is needed. Have your cell phones and the internet, now one and the same, with you at all times. WHY? I still dislike the phone, very much. So rarely carry one with me anywhere, and although I check my voice-mail and caller I.D. regularly, when I am outside I cannot hear the phone and am content to check the phone at my convenience. I am seeing many people are so in touch with everything and everyone they are getting a lot more talking and texting done than work, and overload is a great word for it!
Plus, some times the brain needs to have a little quiet time to just think. Thoughtful post.
I agree with you and Kathy. It can be useful as long as it’s not using you. I blog and each of us has a cell. That is so we can get ahold of each other quickly. But texting? That is the most time consuming silliness. I don’t have the patience.
Good post, Deb.
So true. But it is nice to still have it if needed.
I carry a cell phone. But don’t always answer it. Same with the house phone. And I am learning to walk away from the internet and do the things I loved doing before. OUTSIDE!
Cell phones… like reformed cigarette smokers can’t stand to smell the smoke, I can’t stand to hear a cell phone ring. They are rude, especially when people answer them in the company of other “company!” Most people who have cells, don’t mind and find it acceptable practice. If my phone rang, and I answered it, it gave the person I was with an opportunity to get on their phone to take care of their business. I didn’t fully realize how nuts this was until the cells were removed from our daily life. Yes, folks, it’s rude.
However, texting is the reason I took the cells out of our lifestyles. My kids would text their friends as I would be trying to have a face-to-face conversation with them. Not any more!
We went through a bit of a withdraw, but we all survived and are doing better for it.
I also took the call waiting off our land-line phones.
My computer is another story. I’m afraid it will be buried with me. 🙂
Good post, I really couldn’t live without my digital camera or computer since I keep up with family much better on Facebook and see pics of my niece’s and nephew and I’m on Skype as well.
Amy
As long as we have a means of turning it all off when we need to, the “Information Super Highway” is okay in all its forms. But I do wonder about the people who disregard real life to be plugged in 24/7.
A very thoughtful post. I like those commercials-and sometimes feel like the people in them.
When I was a child some people did not have phones in their homes, most did. Normally it amounted to one phone that hung on a kitchen wall. There was no caller ID, no call waiting. If you missed a call, you simply missed a call. It was not a worry.
I enjoy the connections. For example, I love writing the blog, and having the connections with you. The possibilities for connections are endless, and are a blessing!
But, I also feel we need down time. Quiet time.
It really is not rude for a person to not answer a phone, is it? When someone goes home and needs space, quiet, they deserve it. They deserve time without a pull and a tug.
Information overload also attributes to insomnia. On average, people are sleeping less. Why? Too much stimulus, too much being crammed into the brain. Not enough shut down time from it all. Interesting!?