The Dangers of Too Much Information in Today's World
It's a common sentiment that we need to take rest breaks from our work to allow our minds to relax. After all, our minds relax so that we can later absorb more information. This idea comes from the wisdom of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, who said, "Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain" (Ecclesiastes 1:18).
But is there such a thing as having too much information?
The Danger of Information Overload
With the rapidly increasing amount of data we are dealing with, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The brain, particularly with the modern human's inordinate wealth of knowledge, doesn't have enough years to fill it up fully. Even someone as accomplished as a retired NASA astronaut, who has received numerous degrees across various disciplines, has had to be a jack-of-all-trades to achieve his feats. From being an emergency room physician, mathematician, electrician, engineer, mechanic, supersonic jet pilot, scientist, statistician, and astronaut, he has more accolades than one can count. Yet, he has stated that his brain is not even close to being full. This applies to most of us as well.
Information overload, often referred to as TMI (Too Much Information), can indeed hinder our operations and analysis. In some circles, it is seen as "noise" and can get in the way of analyzing relevant data. For instance, a DDOS attack from a bot network uses "information" to overwhelm a site. If TMI affects your normal operations or slows down any sort of analysis, you have likely reached this point.
Modern Social Issues and Knowledge
From a broader perspective, I've been contemplating the idea of having too much information and how it might contribute to our social problems. As someone who has worked with some of the brightest minds in the aerospace industry, it's fascinating to see how our knowledge has been democratized. In the 60s and 70s to 80s, we relied heavily on smart professionals to solve the problems of the world. These were people who were on the cutting edge of their fields, yet it felt like they were the ones in the spotlight. Today, our society seems to be flooded with information, and as a result, we are all being asked to be knowledgeable in numerous areas. This shift in the way we consume and process information can have detrimental effects on our mental health and our effectiveness as individuals and as a society.
The Need for Relying on the Smart Professionals Again
As an individual, it's important to recognize the limitations of our knowledge and the need to rely on professionals in fields where we lack expertise. It's a lesson that was taught to me by the esteemed professionals I worked with. In today's world, where information is readily available and easy to access, it can be tempting to think that we can answer any question. However, this can lead to a situation where we are overestimating our knowledge and potentially making critical mistakes.
Do you believe we are in a situation where we are all beginning to know too much? Are you a part of the group that can answer almost every question put to you, or do you still see the value in relying on the expertise of professionals in specialized fields?
Conclusion
The concept of information overload is not new, but it's a topic that continues to gain relevance in our digital age. Understanding the dangers of TMI and the importance of recognizing our limitations can help us navigate the information landscape more effectively. Let's not forget the value of expertise and the importance of seeking help from professionals when needed.