Dis-Information Overload

Dis-Information Overload

With the digital age continuing to develop we've been talking for years about "information overload," and problems this entails. Written knowledge doubles about every eighteen months, a phenomenal rate. However, with an increasing absence of data verification, a bigger concern is emerging - the problem of misinformation or disinformation. Essentially, the dearth of quality information on which to base decisions or opinions, or the intentional promulgation of "bad" information has unpleasant implications for business and society.

HOW FAST IS INFORMATION GROWING?

Peter Lyman and Hal Varian, professors at the University of California, Berkley, School of Information, determined that "world-wide information increased at 30% a year from 1999-2002"...and that "92% of new information is stored in magnetic media," further, ..."the U.S. produces 40% of the world's new...information." (Los Angeles Times article, July 7, 2007, as reported in latimes.com/news). The researchers' intent was to quantify people's feelings of being "overwhelmed by information."

More recent estimates are that total information is increasing at 66% per year (The Speed of Information, Kevin Kelly, Feb.20,2006, Technium, Internet edition).

QUANTITY vs. QUALITY

Ok, so there's an overwhelming, almost inconceivable amount of new information being generated and stored, but what is the quality of the information? Not surprisingly, the fastest growing segments of information include "social networking" (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin, Orkut, Bebo, etc.). There are literally hundreds of these sites, some of which cater to a small niche, while others have broader appeal. The information offered is of little or no value except for curiosity or (practically) anonymous connection.

Sorting through fantastic amounts of data to retrieve a few pertinent, relevant and valid, pieces of knowledge requires powerful search "engines," and sophisticated research techniques. However, more and more people report: "I saw it on the Internet," as though that provides an element of credibility.

BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS

The demand for rapid decision-making when combined with a lack of quality and/or inaccurate information is a recipe for trouble. And, if we need to make fast decisions, often based on bad data, what kind of results can we reasonably expect? There's an old saying in Information Science/ Data Processing: GIGO, -- "garbage in, garbage out." And, it seems we're drowning in piles of information garbage.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

When trying to gather valid information:

--Be a critical consumer of data and information; use analytical and evaluative techniques

--Look for references, and/or expertise

--Seek out responsible publications, especially refereed Journals

--Know the background and experience of the author

--Review several articles or books to ascertain a sense of consistency

--"Opinion pieces" must be written by someone with credibility

The main point here is, there is plenty of informative and useful material on the Internet, just don't accept most of it as fact, or even educated opinion.

Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Ben_A._Carlsen/203971

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_(By Dr. Ben A. Carlsen).