Jun 27 2011: @Tony Cosgrove, I read an article on "The Shallows" shortly around the time that it came out! Never picked up the book, but it sounded poignant in regards to this emerging issue. I am 28, and have been slowly baptized into this tech era, but I wonder how the processing/filtering of the generations behind me will play out.
Emerging technology is also fascinating, I just learned last weekend how to use Google Docs to import and extract data from the web, as well as filter it. API is crazy, wonderful stuff going on in the background of everyday life. The other downside to the deluge of information is that everyone now wants YOUR information, and we have little understanding (as laypeople) of how that information is disseminated, collected, used, etc. If you perceive that your information is only one drop of water coming out of a hose, it doesn't seem that concerning, until you realize that people are collecting the water in buckets...
Jun 27 2011: My biggest issue with the high volume of content that I am exposed to is a distinct, increased level of distractability. I find it increasingly difficult to stay on one task, as I am constantly interrupted, and the high level of interconnectivity between EVERYTHING means that every encounter is a natural starting point or segue to the next thing. I can rarely read a full page article without opening 2-3 windows on related topics. Whereas I appreciate the way that it makes the world unfold, it is highly inefficient! Also, people want all their messages now in brief soundbytes. If I type a few paragraphs and send it to someone, 90% of the time, it will never be read. They are more likely to call me and ask for a synopsis.
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A reply on Conversation: How do you deal with data deluge (too much email, too many tweets, etc.)?
Emerging technology is also fascinating, I just learned last weekend how to use Google Docs to import and extract data from the web, as well as filter it. API is crazy, wonderful stuff going on in the background of everyday life. The other downside to the deluge of information is that everyone now wants YOUR information, and we have little understanding (as laypeople) of how that information is disseminated, collected, used, etc. If you perceive that your information is only one drop of water coming out of a hose, it doesn't seem that concerning, until you realize that people are collecting the water in buckets...
A comment on Conversation: How do you deal with data deluge (too much email, too many tweets, etc.)?