The IT Skeptic - Comments for "The information barrage - blinded by the light"

Step Back

davethekiwibloke — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:12:06 +0000

Information overload is a fact of modern life we have to cope with nowadays. While huge amounts of information have always been out there, it is only in recent times that it has become available to us on a direct, personal level in volumes that are overwhelming. This is of course a function of the 'communications age' in which we now live.

The trick to dealing with this is simply one which also applies to all aspects of everyday life and decision making. Take a step back, take a breath and identify your needs - what are you trying to achieve. Forget about the data - it's a resource pool. Focus on your objectives and then use whatever tools you have at your disposal to filter the information to assist in achieving those objectives. Don't worry about trying to cram it all in. Stick to the principles of 'fit for purpose' - ie if it works well enough, be satisfied and move on.

digester of information

skeptic — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:24:26 +0000

I think the stat, whatever its basis, reflects a very real increase in the information. And the stuff i get is information, not raw data. The challenge is, as you say, to find where it is being distilled into something useful, where the signal/noise ratio is high. The prime service on the internet now is to be a digester of information, though let's drop that metaphor before we follow it to its logical conclusion. the danger then is that one adopts the biases of one's information processors instead of forming one's own conclusions.

Data != information.

Visitor — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:08:26 +0000

Data != information. Unfortunately the press likes impressive statistics, so such meaningless figures are a good way to get headlines, and of course sales people like to throw out large numbers as well. Finding information sources with a high signal/noise ratio is becoming a critical skill. But ironically once a 'hang-out of the experts' becomes well known the noise tends to increase and the professionals leave in disgust.