Comments on: The Myth of Information Overload http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/ Vaughan Merlyn on the Changing Role of the IT Organization Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:38:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: itorganization2017 http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-793 itorganization2017 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:54:32 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-793 Matt, thanks for your comment. As you say, we have a semantics issue. I did not say cognitive overload was a myth - I said information overload was. Cognitive overload is a result - and is, as you point out, a proven theory. Information overload is a cause. My point was that if we are smart with techniques such as filtering - whether automatic via software, or inherent via the brain, we can avoid (or at least, minimize) information overload. As a terrible analogy, clearly getting drunk (the result) is very real, with proven (and mostly dangerous) consequences. On the other hand, drinking (the cause) is not inherently dangerous, and can be enjoyed without getting drunk. Matt, thanks for your comment. As you say, we have a semantics issue. I did not say cognitive overload was a myth – I said information overload was. Cognitive overload is a result – and is, as you point out, a proven theory. Information overload is a cause. My point was that if we are smart with techniques such as filtering – whether automatic via software, or inherent via the brain, we can avoid (or at least, minimize) information overload.

As a terrible analogy, clearly getting drunk (the result) is very real, with proven (and mostly dangerous) consequences. On the other hand, drinking (the cause) is not inherently dangerous, and can be enjoyed without getting drunk.

]]> By: Matt Sherwood http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-792 Matt Sherwood Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:41:10 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-792 I began reading your article wondering how you could call cognitive overload a myth. I think we have an issue of semantics. Cognitive overload is a scientific term associate with Cognitive Load Theory. CLT has proven that humans throughout the world cannot hold more than 5-9 new pieces of information in their conscious memory without overloading their conscious memory capabilities. This is cognitive overload. I think you are talking about something different. I began reading your article wondering how you could call cognitive overload a myth. I think we have an issue of semantics.

Cognitive overload is a scientific term associate with Cognitive Load Theory. CLT has proven that humans throughout the world cannot hold more than 5-9 new pieces of information in their conscious memory without overloading their conscious memory capabilities. This is cognitive overload.

I think you are talking about something different.

]]> By: The Real Sin of Email « IT Organization Circa 2017 http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-438 The Real Sin of Email « IT Organization Circa 2017 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:01:00 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-438 [...] got more into this in a post a while back on The Myth of Information Overload.  Challenge every Email sent and recieved - is this something that belongs as an email, or should [...] [...] got more into this in a post a while back on The Myth of Information Overload.  Challenge every Email sent and recieved – is this something that belongs as an email, or should [...]

]]> By: itorganization2017 http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-365 itorganization2017 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:52:14 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-365 No collective (or even singular!) groan from me. I personally welcome the Luddites - I'm often accused of being one, and that's OK. Not all that is new is worthwhile! Also, in the interests of full disclosure, I was not totally authentic in my post's title - Information Overload is clearly not a myth. The term, as I posited, is, however, misleading. Having got that out of the way, I completely agree with your assertion that there's a tool problem. I further agree that lack of integration is one issue. Another, however, is some of the tools just don't work very well. I have found that SOME Web 2.0 tools really help. I love, for example, Google Reader and Delicious. These have helped me "pull" information I might be interested in, allowing me to ignore much of the garbage (or, at least, irrelevant) that "pump information at me." I do believe your wish for the AI engine that feeds stuff to your email will probably be granted in the next 2-3 years. The downside of that, however, is you might miss out on the serendipitous discovery. I've also been playing with StumbleUpon, and have had some very pleasant surprises finding stuff I'd never have looked for. No collective (or even singular!) groan from me. I personally welcome the Luddites – I’m often accused of being one, and that’s OK. Not all that is new is worthwhile! Also, in the interests of full disclosure, I was not totally authentic in my post’s title – Information Overload is clearly not a myth. The term, as I posited, is, however, misleading.

Having got that out of the way, I completely agree with your assertion that there’s a tool problem. I further agree that lack of integration is one issue. Another, however, is some of the tools just don’t work very well.

I have found that SOME Web 2.0 tools really help. I love, for example, Google Reader and Delicious. These have helped me “pull” information I might be interested in, allowing me to ignore much of the garbage (or, at least, irrelevant) that “pump information at me.”

I do believe your wish for the AI engine that feeds stuff to your email will probably be granted in the next 2-3 years. The downside of that, however, is you might miss out on the serendipitous discovery. I’ve also been playing with StumbleUpon, and have had some very pleasant surprises finding stuff I’d never have looked for.

]]> By: NovaSphere Blog http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-364 NovaSphere Blog Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:45:54 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-364 So you can all let out the collective groan because the luddite has arrived at the 2.0 table and I am still confused. Here's a different perspective: it seems to me that, to the extent information overload exists (and I agree with those who say it may not), it is made worse, not better, by some of the new tools available--they just pump more information at me rather than relevant information at me...and that's just frustrating. Now I will be the first to admit, as a user, I tend to be on the clueless side...I struggle with new tools and become easily frustrated when technology does not behave like I expect it to. I like email. I am quick with it and it serves my purpose of gathering my information in one place. A lot of that has to do with having learned a very personal way to use that particular tool that works for me. I do agree there is a tool problem, and I think it stems from the non-integration of so many of the cool new 2.0 things that are out there. What I want is artificial intelligence (to supplement my dearth of the same) that learns what is relevant to me, finds information regardless of how and where it is stored, ranks it, categorizes it, consolidates it in one place, makes the headlines easy to read and re-categorize as I see fit... ...and delivers it all to my Inbox So you can all let out the collective groan because the luddite has arrived at the 2.0 table and I am still confused. Here’s a different perspective: it seems to me that, to the extent information overload exists (and I agree with those who say it may not), it is made worse, not better, by some of the new tools available–they just pump more information at me rather than relevant information at me…and that’s just frustrating.

Now I will be the first to admit, as a user, I tend to be on the clueless side…I struggle with new tools and become easily frustrated when technology does not behave like I expect it to.

I like email. I am quick with it and it serves my purpose of gathering my information in one place. A lot of that has to do with having learned a very personal way to use that particular tool that works for me.

I do agree there is a tool problem, and I think it stems from the non-integration of so many of the cool new 2.0 things that are out there. What I want is artificial intelligence (to supplement my dearth of the same) that learns what is relevant to me, finds information regardless of how and where it is stored, ranks it, categorizes it, consolidates it in one place, makes the headlines easy to read and re-categorize as I see fit…

…and delivers it all to my Inbox

]]> By: kimberlyanna http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-359 kimberlyanna Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:33:26 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-359 Hi Vaughan! Susan and I were just talking about this and how to handle that common IO complaint in an organization that hasn't taken to the Web 2.0 world very well. Your post and commentators are a great reminder to me that even though IO is used as the complaint, it's not always the only issue to be addressed. As always, thanks for such great food for thought. Hi Vaughan! Susan and I were just talking about this and how to handle that common IO complaint in an organization that hasn’t taken to the Web 2.0 world very well. Your post and commentators are a great reminder to me that even though IO is used as the complaint, it’s not always the only issue to be addressed. As always, thanks for such great food for thought.

]]> By: Roy Youngman http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-358 Roy Youngman Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:40:58 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-358 I think a not-so-subtle complement is in order here: Vaughan, you are the greatest scanner of information I've ever met. You have a remarkable ability to get more out of 15 minutes of reading than anyone. This is true now and was true when I met you over 15 years ago. Unfortunately, most of us mere mortals take a little longer to get value out of the information that comes our way. I agree that having access to ever greater information is a blessing, but many of us have to learn the art of scanning and find the tools that fit our cognitive style for thinking (Henry, send me your Context Organizer soon!). This might be the curse of the engineer, taught from birth that the only way to comprehend something was to read it carefully from cover to cover. All that said, I really like your point that the phrase "Information Overload" implies a solution that is just plain wrong! The problem is not too much information. The problem is getting the most out of the information we have. I think a not-so-subtle complement is in order here: Vaughan, you are the greatest scanner of information I’ve ever met. You have a remarkable ability to get more out of 15 minutes of reading than anyone. This is true now and was true when I met you over 15 years ago.

Unfortunately, most of us mere mortals take a little longer to get value out of the information that comes our way. I agree that having access to ever greater information is a blessing, but many of us have to learn the art of scanning and find the tools that fit our cognitive style for thinking (Henry, send me your Context Organizer soon!). This might be the curse of the engineer, taught from birth that the only way to comprehend something was to read it carefully from cover to cover.

All that said, I really like your point that the phrase “Information Overload” implies a solution that is just plain wrong! The problem is not too much information. The problem is getting the most out of the information we have.

]]> By: Henry Lewkowicz http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-357 Henry Lewkowicz Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:11:02 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-357 Hi Vaughan, Great post. Indeed, we are always going to be exposed to more and more information so what can be achieved by complaining about information overload? As you say, we cannot think about cutting down on information consumption. Rather we need more intelligent tools and practices that allow us rapid and accurate access to only the information that is relevant to us...and in the process enjoy information WEALTH. One of the technologies those certainly is underutilized in sorting out information is text summarization. When we read we may as well get the key points first to quickly decide if we need to spend more time digging through the text. I have been working on such a tool, Context Organizer, and from experience can say that summarization simplifies and clarifies information making it more usable. Hi Vaughan,
Great post. Indeed, we are always going to be exposed to more and more information so what can be achieved by complaining about information overload? As you say, we cannot think about cutting down on information consumption. Rather we need more intelligent tools and practices that allow us rapid and accurate access to only the information that is relevant to us…and in the process enjoy information WEALTH.

One of the technologies those certainly is underutilized in sorting out information is text summarization. When we read we may as well get the key points first to quickly decide if we need to spend more time digging through the text. I have been working on such a tool, Context Organizer, and from experience can say that summarization simplifies and clarifies information making it more usable.

]]> By: Russ Aebig http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-356 Russ Aebig Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:55:22 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-356 Vaughan, I agree with your assertion that society has always felt they have been overwhelmed with information. Today the volume of information people are exposed to is dramatically greater than even a decade ago, largely due to mainstream use of productivity tools such as email, use of the Internet, and most recently weblogs. Along with this volume of information comes varying degrees of quality. Finding the nuggets of gold in the avalanche of information is the challenge- and luckily we have the Web2.0 tools to help with this. It is not hard for me to spend hours working through various sources of information, but I would much rather spend 10 minutes with a high quality information-rich source. Everything else is just "data overload." - Russ Vaughan,
I agree with your assertion that society has always felt they have been overwhelmed with information. Today the volume of information people are exposed to is dramatically greater than even a decade ago, largely due to mainstream use of productivity tools such as email, use of the Internet, and most recently weblogs.
Along with this volume of information comes varying degrees of quality. Finding the nuggets of gold in the avalanche of information is the challenge- and luckily we have the Web2.0 tools to help with this. It is not hard for me to spend hours working through various sources of information, but I would much rather spend 10 minutes with a high quality information-rich source. Everything else is just “data overload.”
- Russ

]]> By: itorganization2017 http://vaughanmerlyn.com/2008/08/05/the-myth-of-information-overload/#comment-355 itorganization2017 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:18:33 +0000 http://itorganization2017.wordpress.com/?p=405#comment-355 To Susan Scrupski's comment - hallelujah! And you reinforce my take on this. I know this sounds really trite, but "information overload is a problem to be managed" is, IMHO, the wrong way to come at this. Too much "victim" and too much putting the cart before the horse. You, on the other hand, look at the opportunity - in particular to use the tools of Web 2.0 to help remedy the sins of IT 1.0. And bless you, Susan for that! To Susan Scrupski’s comment – hallelujah! And you reinforce my take on this. I know this sounds really trite, but “information overload is a problem to be managed” is, IMHO, the wrong way to come at this. Too much “victim” and too much putting the cart before the horse.

You, on the other hand, look at the opportunity – in particular to use the tools of Web 2.0 to help remedy the sins of IT 1.0. And bless you, Susan for that!

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