The internet today is a very valuable resource in gathering information. For most people it is the only way to get any type of information because it has the largest variety and is fast and easy. How could that be a bad thing? "Information Fatigue Syndrome" is the answer to this question. The International Stress Management Association puts lots of energy into studying this syndrome. Too much data and information when researching can be overwhelming for people and simple things such as reading your email can cause stress. When you're supposed to be relaxing you will start to think of email that have no been read and voicemails that have no been replied to. People can become frustrated because of technology because, although it is used to make working more efficient, it often does the opposite. If people are not trained correctly it can cause them to be frustrated when it would be so simple to just use a pen and paper to process data. Computers offer so much memory and places to save unneccessary documents, the chances of important ones getting lost is good because there is so many places in a computer hard drive that documents can be saved. Information is not only thrown at us at the office and on the internet, it is almost impossible to escape, which is why this syndrome is caused so easily. When you are driving home you will drive past busses covered in information, at the grocery store you will stand at the check out in front of magazines covered in information that the creaters will try to convince you is necessary to know. All this information we're exposed to will lead to being overwhelmed and stressed which could lead to frustration and sleeplessness. The title link gives lots of information on the causes of Information Fatigue Syndrome and common symptoms.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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I sgree that the internet can give some useful information, but is a hassle to search through all the extra information given. The extra pop ups and pointless information can be overwhelming and cause more stress than necessary. As commented above, even opening a small email can cause more frustration than necessary. As simple as walking your dog or going to work, individuals are bombarded with information that is cover-up the real message. I can say from experience, that when searching the internet for simple information, that the researching process is quite frustrating and almost impossible. You can be looking for a specific definition and information on every other irrelevent topic will appear. Information Fatigue Syndrome can lead individuals to become more overwhelmed with new technologies, that are efficient but more time consuming.
ReplyDeleteI like your comments, Kaitlin, and largely agree; however, I have to disagree with some aspects of the article.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the primary statistic used in the article discussed paper consumption. Unfortunately, the statistic referenced data from the 1980s. Even worse, it applied this statistic to "technological innovations" such as email and web research, which were virtually non-existent in the 80s! The primary reason that paper consumption tripled in the 80s was because of the increased availability and reduced costs involved in making photocopies. This misapplication of a stastistic drastically reduces the credibility of this article.
Secondly, the article states that using "e-mail to communicate with someone 50 feet away" is a problem. However, it does not explain why this is a problem, or what would be the best way to communicate in that situation. Again, this type of sloppiness in research and application detracts from the point the author is trying to make.
I agree that information overload is an issue that everyone has to face today. This article just does a poor job of explaining it, and does more to detract from its argument than support it.
To debate whether the internet contains useful information is completely assanine, as a concept, however it is also flooded with a seemingly endless undesired scourge of useless and sometimes harmful information that can be difficult, nearly impossible to avoid. I can see however how this does annoy people and cause stress, because it is highly overwhelming and inconvenient. Technology as well as a whole can become quite frustrating. For example, my Blackberry, at first I loved the fact that I could recieve Facebook, text messages, instant messages, E-mails, etc. However I found that after the first week the constant ringing of my phone was starting to drive me crazy, especially when my phone would ring for a facebook updatem than 30 seconds later it would ring for the email notifying me of this update. Overall it's got it's ups and it's downs.
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