Information overload is when the brain absorbs too much information to process. The complexity of communication systems and the vast amount of information available contribute to this. It affects those in study-intensive or communication-related professions. Some argue that the problem is time overload, and relaxation techniques and better time management can help. The way information is presented can also contribute to the problem.
Information overload is a description given to the phenomenon where the human brain absorbs so much information that it becomes nearly impossible to process. Alvin Toffler, a Russian academic, is credited with coining the term. Since the phrase was first used, it has become wildly popular, especially in the computer age, although some say the idea is more a matter of time and presentation than actual data.
The reason that concerns about information overload have become so prevalent in today’s world is explained by the complexity of the communication systems available to human beings. Instant communication is available through emails, cell phones, text messages, instant messengers. Add to that the thousands of academic journals on the Internet and even more information distributed free through blogs and amateur websites. Considering all of this, information is being exchanged at speeds never experienced before.
Also, when these sources are considered, much of the information presented may not be original. As a result, many times the reader or viewer will spend time examining data already received from other sources. If there are discrepancies, or even small differences in how information is presented, this could lead to confusion, leading an individual to feel overwhelmed.
Those who experience information overload may come from a variety of professions and fields, but tend to be those most closely associated with study-intensive activities or those deeply involved in communications. For example, they may be academics or students who may be trying to do too much research, using too many sources too quickly. Physicians researching a patient’s condition or treatment options could also be overwhelmed with all the materials available to them, as could an administrative assistant managing multiple programs and communication channels at once.
Despite the fact that too much information seems to be a real problem for many people, some say the real problem is time overload. In other words, the distributed information can be processed, but there simply isn’t enough time to do it. If so, the solution is not to reduce information intake, but to allow more time to process it. Relaxation techniques and better time management can also offer some relief.
Another problem that some see behind this issue is simply the way information is presented. With television shows and commercials training millions of brains for flashy images and scenes that snap in and out quickly, the information often becomes somewhat disjointed. Therefore, the brain has to spend a longer period of time trying to tie everything together for a more cohesive picture.
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