Information Explosion

Information Explosion

This is a concern that seems to be voiced in various parts of the world in recent times. Let us look at some changes in our ways of thinking as a result of this phenomenon:

The most crucial change that seems to occur is its effect on time. Time is not meant in an objective way here. By ‘time’ we mean having sufficient mental space to observe things around us, to learn from our surroundings, people, nature and so on, to learn by actually doing things at the required pace and commitment and “wait” for the fruits of our efforts. Crucial in above situations is the aspect of observing, doing, waiting and therefore learning from such modes of existence. All such actions require appropriate personal involvement with the activity at hand and by giving the required amount of time. Such learning leads to the feeling of being “connected” with the given place, people and ourselves. Such connections are important to make us realize the values of interdependence, sustainability, tolerance, compassion and hope. People have found solutions to problems much before the computers or any kind of mass media was invented – how did they do it? This means that people have an inherent ability to improvise, given the challenge they face in front of them. Many, many things (in terms of predictable/ rational information) may not have been known to the society – yet the spirit of human beings have triumphed. In all the forward movement of life that we witness, one of the key ingredients is ‘faith’ – to continue believing that things would turn out good irrespective of many unknown factors. 

By continuous exposure to loads of information, we seem to jeopardize a kind of ‘learning’ experience that comes from direct observation, by doing and waiting patiently for the result. What gets changed is the nature of learning – from being personal and place specific, it is replaced by the virtual environment. More than that, it is tending to be just informative and rationally inclined. Since it is projected as rational, we tend to look at our world only in terms of problems and think of just rational solutions. We falsely believe that we can control all of the world’s events and thus unknowingly raise our own expectations to control everything. This, in itself, can cause a great deal of stress. Rational projection of information tends to streamline everything, logically connect everything and make us believe that everything can be planned and everything can fall into its own place provided we follow the plan. However, the “real non-virtual place” out there requires interactions with people who are messy, different from us and thus, all online predictions can fall flat. Another cause for worry! Information overload also tends to make us believe that we need to adapt to the micro changes that keep on penetrating our minds by continuous exposure to the internet. We are influenced by what happens in other parts of the world. Frankly speaking, we can’t digest the volatility that is projected continuously. We keep on ‘updating’ ourselves, we can’t seem to arrive at a decision (since we feel that more information needs to be gathered) and we procrastinate. We doubt everything, we fear everything and consume everything. We run but are not stable. We don’t know where to focus and everybody seems to be in some kind of panic mode. The fundamental thing that seems to be happening by an extremely fast paced life and continuous exposure to information is a terrible sense of disconnect with our own deeper feelings and by extension – the entire environment. To lose connection with ‘us’ is to lose connection with our own outlook towards our life. 

A new choice is born out of this situation – how much to run? How fast? How much to stay online? How much to change? Why not wait? Why not slow down? Why not give a smile and see the sun? What difference will it make if we do not pack in a lot of activities? What is there to fear, if we lose something? And, do we actually own anything at all, in the first place?! If no, then why run?

If you think that it seems proper to slow down, then step aside!! Welcome to the opportunity to know your own potential!