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" We've created more information in the past few years than in all of human history before us " Daniel Levitine
Once upon a time, knowledge was transferred from person to person through storytelling and conversations. The printing press accelerated the speed of exchange but was limited by geography and availability. Radio and television extended that reach and still had their limitations:
Newspapers were, at the most, a daily opportunity to catch up on the ‘latest’. One had to wait for the next day to find out more.
Radio and television broadcast was set at certain times during the day and was off during the night. It also had a very limited number of channels.
Now we can consume information from across the globe, at any time, in any language through a seemingly endless buffet of mediums that we click, tap, swipe, and now even access through our voice command. We can choose from multiple devices, many search engines, countless apps, and a myriad of social networks.
Picture this ...
“There are more pieces of digital content (or online information) in the world today than there are grains of sand on every beach on Earth.” [1]
Let it sink in ...
In 2015 Google estimated that there were 300 exabytes (300 followed by 18 zeros) of human-made information in the world [2].
By 2025 there will be 175 zettabytes of data (175 followed by 21 zeros) in the global datasphere [3]. This abundance is simultaneously a blessing, offering amazing opportunities, and a curse as we over-consume information leading to a risk of infobesity or information overload.
Our brain is regularly receiving more input than it can process (a bit like an information indigestion). Too many choices to make and micro-decisions to take can lead to stress, anxiety, mistakes, lack of focus and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
"We're not in a world of information overload, we're in a world of filter failure."
-Michael Lazerow
The good news is that we can, as individuals take small steps and make choices that will reactivate and fine tune our very own ‘information filter’.
My invitation to you this month: Consume information consciously Here are 6 tips to play with to get a grip on your information overload: 1. Check the news at specific allocated times of the day - When is the optimal time for you? Set some boundaries
2. Limit your number of sources to 2-3 - Where is the information coming from? Choose sources you trust and be open to explore different points of view
3. Interrupt your automatic reflexes - Why now? When feeling the pull to reach out to your device, catch yourself and find something else to do for a minute (stretch, move around, get a drink, step outside). Is the pull still as strong?
4. Verify the reason behind seeking information. - What for? Are you looking for a specific piece of information or are you scrolling mindlessly until something catches your eye?
5. Identify the effect that informations (or sources of informations) you are consuming have on you. - How does it make you feel? Tune in with your body. Is it nourishing, energising or is it draining, stress inducing and depleting? 6. Share information intentionally, pass them through the 3 sieves of Socrates first: - Is it true? Is it kind? is it necessary? Whenever you feel the urge to share or forward something online, pause and ask yourself those simple question. |
If you feel that the abundance of information is creating anxiety and stress in your life and you are stuck, get in touch to arrange a free conversation. Together we can explore ways to bring some intentionality back to your info consumption.
My wish for you this month is to consume information consciously and mindfully. Share it intentionally and dare to be the change you want to see in your organisation, family, community and life!
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References:
[1] Gantz, J. and Reinsel, D. (no date) ‘THE DIGITAL UNIVERSE IN 2020: Big Data, Bigger Digital Shadows, and Biggest Growth in the Far East’, p. 16.
[2] O’Kelly, L. (2015) ‘Daniel J Levitin Q&A: “We’ve created more information in the past few years than in all of human history before us”’, The Observer, 18 January
Image credit: Photo by Michał Sołowiej on Pexels
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