The Netherlands, 1961. Back “In them old days, when life was simple and easy”. To put things in perspective: The Second World War ended just 16 years before that, John F. Kennedy succeeded Dwight Eisenhower as the 35th president of the United States, Frank Sinatra forms his own record label (Reprise Records) and Playboy Magazine was only ten years in existence.
The Internet was just a “mere twinkle” in the eye of Daddy U.S. Defense and The Andy Griffith Show was on TV back then. If you can remember all this, then you are a member of a very elite group of people.
Les Paul – 1961
Elite people.
If you are born in that era – or if you are maybe just a little bit older – you are member of the people that has seen the world change from the laid back easy days to what it is now.
A super fast paced, over heated, busy melting pot of new ideas, ways of thinking, inventions, music, sex, images, news.
All presented to you in every way possible. Radio, TV, Magazines, Movies, The Internet, you name it. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information that’s being poured over you like a supercharged Niagara Falls. It’s easy to drown, get lost.
You’ll end up like a little yellow rubber ducky bobbing on the waves, drifting, with no destination or goal. Information overload and you’ll end up knowing less – in the end.
GOTCHA
Headlines!
There are some ways how you could deal with “The Information Overload”. Get the most out of what you read, hear and see. This is what I do. I am not saying it’s the way to go, but it works for me!
- Try to get the information you need by just skimming the headlines. Focus on what you need and read the article if it really interests you. That’s why I try to come up with catchy headlines for my blog posts.
- Skip reading shit. If you don’t really need that info just leave it.
- Avoid going into detail about everything. If you do that, you are fighting a losing battle. That little head of your’s can just hold so much information.
- Select your sources of information. If you need information for some research you are doing for an article try Wikipedia first and work from there.
- Don’t believe everything you read – or see for that matter. Or hear, or feel. Use your gut feeling.
- The internet holds information about everything. Don’t try to memorize it. (or the phone book for that matter).
Information Overload Syndrome.
If you think you are safe form Information Overload you are totally WRONG. You are, believe me…
If you need help on this subject go here. Serious shit, huh?
How do you deal with the information you get during your travels on the internet?
P.s. I was not born in ’61…
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I have gotten very good at skimming! While there are many articles that I want to read in detail, there is just a lack of time. I do like the challenge of having so much to read and learn though, keeps me on my toes! Nice post!
Hi Christy,
You are right, there is to little time to read and understand everything. So just skimming the headlines is a good way to filter the first bit of useless information out. Thanks for your input!
Great post Jan! Back in the early 90′s when I had my first home-built computer, I think it had a 40mg hard drive! Thanks for the reminder, we just need to take a break and watch the birds at the feeders or sit in silence and pet the dogs.
Karen Hug-Nagy recently posted: Rocking The Mothership!
Hi Karen,
You are right, take the timeto stand back from the hassle and see things in their true perspective. Things that matter, things that are really important.
There is so much information around us and we have to be selective to what’s really important to us – whatever kind of input that might be…
Skim the headlines of life. Heh, there could be a new saying in that, don’t you think?
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
Claim it Jan, “Skim The Headlines Of Life”
Hello Jan nice post, I remember those days very well.
Back then life was simple and things were so much better.
There is way to much information and so little time to read it all but never the less I enjoying soaking it all up because it keeps the mind fresh.
Thanks so much for a great read my friend.
RobG recently posted: How to Publish Weekly And Keep Your Readers Aroused And Interested
Hi Rob,
So.much.information. True. One has to be selective in what’s really important for you at any given moment. You don’t have to keep up with everything, just with stuff that’s important for you at any given time. I don’t need to know everything about the migration of the Epicurean white rabbit….
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
Hi Jan,
Skimming headlines also work for me! If we tried to read everything we get, we’ll end up as a crazy fellow!
. And there are lot of sources in the Internet, as you mentioned here. But choosing the correct ones isn’t easy. And I like your tips, and it’ll help for anyone who have many things to do instead of reading unwanted stuff. Great post Jan, and thanks for sharing! 
Chathu recently posted: Look Back at the Valentine’s Day!
Hi Chathu,
Skimming the headlines is one way to deal with that, or use one of the specialized sites that collct the news that YOU are interested in. I use AllTop. You subscribe (for free) and you can set up your own little space on there withthe information YOU need! Pretty awesome stuff!
It’s hard to read everything about everything, especially because we bloggers meed days that last 48 hours…
~Jan
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
Skimming is the way these days. Most websites these days provide the same information just with a new twist.
Hi Ketan
In a way is ok. I mean who really *owns* and idea that’s been published on the internet anyways. Giving it a new twist could make it more helpful to / for other people. What about translating a blog post and using that?
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
Hi Jan,
LOVED the video – very funny! This is a great post on a perennial problem all bloggers face – like you I do a lot of skimming and only dig deep into an article once I’m sure it’s relevant. As you say, it just reinforces the need for us to spend a little time on those headlines!
My other tactic is to do a lot of bookmarking, using Evernote, putting things to one side to read later. I think you’ve got to be very organised and selective to deal with this.
Sue
Sue Neal recently posted: 5 Fatal Blogging Mistakes to Avoid – Lessons from a National Scandal
Hi Sue,
We all got our ways on organizing stuff we really need to know. Bookmarking takes discipline though and I’m not really sure I would be able to read everything I have bookmarked. lol. Another thing I do to read only the things I’m interested in is browsing though the ‘trending’ news in Twitter. That way you get to choose what you want to read and kinda skip everything else!
Thanks for the input!
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
You are so right about the info overload Jan. there’s really too much info out there. I don’t skim though. I limit. When it comes to my industry I only read certain sources and when it comes to entertainment I only read those that I live reading. I also don’t read everything everyday. I know my plan is flawed. It keeps me out of touch with most of the world, but I have hubby an the teens to keep me up to date with local news and I don’t feel tied to my desk.
so it may be flawed, but it works for me.
Hey Vanita,
Like most things in live – you do things they work for YOU, whatever method you use. If you’re happy with it, that’s all that counts.
Keeping up with EVERYTHING is fighting loosing battle and we don’t like to loose. Period. Just like in blogging (and the rest of life.. yeah there IS a life next to blogging and you know it…) go for the quality content.
JanBierens recently posted: Dealing with Information Overload
ROFL!!!!! I love this post. Makes me laugh so hard.
When I first started blogging, people bombarded with emails after emails on how-to-do -this and how-to-do -that. Pointing me every single website there is. I was OVERWHELMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH. I was pulling hair!!!! Until I met Rob Goss and Adrienne Smith…EVERYTHING that I kept on my email that says “to read later” I DELETED THEM ALL IN THE TRASH. And so now I just decided I was only going to listen to 2-3 people and NO MORE TRASH. Internet Gurus. Social Media Experts. Whatsoever.
Thanks for sharing this. You did an excellent job presenting your blog.
-Angela
Angela McCall recently posted: The Power of Google+
Hi Angela,
Thanks! You are so right about having to learn how to deal with tons and tons of information that’s presented to you every moment of the day.
Information Overload Syndrome is not something I made up, it’s a real disorder, caused by tom much information people have to deal with.
Beings selective is important, because otherwise you will end up drowning in information. Ahhh Adrienne? She KNOWS her stuff!
JanBierens recently posted: What is YOUR favorite post and what does that say about YOU
Jan, loved this post so much I retweeted it and put it on my Favorites to read again. Thanks!!
Angela McCall recently posted: How to start as a Freelancer?
Hi Jan; I was born in 1955, so know exactly what you’re talking about. Yes, life was much simpler and slower-paced. Information overload got me too, for awhile, but then I started weeding things out and it’s so much better now! Still, I have a stack of books on my night table that haven’t been read yet. Ever since this computer came into my life, that activity has declined considerably. LOL Great post; loved the video!
Debbie recently posted: WHAT IF…
Thanks, Debbie,
Different times. Well, we all have to adjust to the world we’re living in. It keeps us young. Keeping the mind busy and keeping up with changes is what makes us different fro the ‘other species’. Once I was researching this, I leaned that this is a ‘real’ disease. Information Overload Syndrome…
JanBierens recently posted: I want my Google Data Backup. Gimme!
Jan,
I remember those times well. Born in the second half of the 50′s, Andy Griffith was the man!
Information then was a few channels on the TV and of course the newspapers that was it!
Now, we’ve got it down to a tweet lol! I do skim what I’m interested in, especially the news. If one reads all that is out there, one will perish!
I find that skimming is easier and then digging into something I’m interested in. The good old days were great, but I’m enjoying the technical days too.
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted: Strengths and Weaknesses
Hi Donna,
. Good tactic to stay informed! I use Alltop.com and Twitter to get the latest news.
I guess we’re around the same age, but you’re much younger than me, of course.
Good to hear you are not one of those “In the old days everything was better” people. When one starts thinking like that, it’s all downhill from there. lol.
I think I would have a hard time not being able to enjoy the internet and all that comes with it.
Thanks for the input, Donna!
JanBierens recently posted: I want my Google Data Backup. Gimme!