Information overload - when knowledge isn't power

There was a time it was thought that information was knowledge and knowledge was power. Today, however, we have a glut of information; an overload of data. Some of this data is fact, much is fantasy; some research , most opinion.

We now have a dilemma - information discernment. How do we decide what information is valuable or useful and what is not? Which sources are trustworthy and which are not? Which opinions align to our values and which challenge them?

You see, frequently our limiting factor is still time. The flow of information began by allowing us to quickly glean information that would have taken us much longer to acquire. But with the ease of entry in to the playing field came an increase in the quantity of information. And with the increase in quantity came pressure on time.

We now had to begin combing the volume of information for quality of information. This is more difficult, as even researching the author or originator took time to establish whether we placed any value on the information.

So the initial benefit of saving time became the challenge.

It's easy to When pointed to website to quickly flick across and look at the "billboard" to see what's on offer. Websites are usually visual and, to some degree, interactive. A bit like an advert in a newspaper. It's informative and may meet a need we have. But a blog is like a column piece in the newspaper. It offers an opinion and may challenge our paradigm. It requires our energy to decide whether to ignore or react. It may entrench our thinking or inspire us to challenge the view offered.

In any event, it is more information to be processed. Most people want to be entertained so it can become a challenge engaging people. Usually a response is drawn only when an issue touches a nerve in the sense that it personally affects them or they feel a compassion toward the issue.

Still, it becomes another piece of information to process. The question is quality versus quantity. The question is time. The question involves priorities. Priorities will depend on our personal stage in life - do we care about this issue? Do we have an opinion on it? Are we forming an opinion? Are we prepared to received new data to support or challenge our view?

It's all a process and processes need time. And time is a limited resource!!

So is knowledge power? Maybe; if it is valuable knowledge; if it is unique knowledge, something uncommon.

Racism alive and well in New Zealand

Tariana Turia stated on a minor party leaders' debate on national tv that because Maori, Pacific Islanders and "the poor" have shorter lifespans, they should retire at 60 while other demographic groups should retire at 65.

Sound logic? You bet, if the culture is one of entitlement. Maybe this won't stand up to any UN charters but NZ continues to head down the PC path of least resistance somehow willing itself to believe that a socialist system is still not able to deliver the same education & opportunities to certain groups - this despite hunting down Maori & PI on uni campuses and flogging them with scholarships. Not only does that give them a debt free start compared to others but also allows for chopping and changing of courses. Every advert for binge drinking, drunk driving & smoking is targeted at these minority groups yet somehow it remains someone else's fault!

A recent temporary employee at AUT (he was a male Pakeha so no chance of employment there!) commented on the slack work ethic of admin employees pitching to work as they felt like it, faking appointments, sitting on the net "researching" leads. He was so efficient the boss gave him an office so as not to be distracted. Yet he was not considered for a permanent appointment. To top it all, he was excited to join the touch rugby team but was told he could not as it was a PI team! I suggested he start a Pakeha team and see how long it would be tolerated. Ironic that a country with a legacy of apartheid protest has landed up in this sorry state, isn't it?

Why is NZ slipping in terms of productivity and earnings to Australia? Because kiwis who desire to work based on competency have jumped across the ditch and are working without cushy perks. And that includes Maori who prove themselves quite capable of doing well without mommy state mollycoddling them like infants!

The irony now is that the apparently prestigious Auckland university has a leading academic shouting that certain immigrant groups import racist attitudes into the "open & tolerant" (ie PC) kiwi society. AU backed her outspoken, divisive, opinion as academic opinion, not insulting to those immigrant groups - this despite the Race Commissioner laying a complaint.

Who needs to import racism? It is living here in NZ nice and warm; well fed and protected from harm.