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.