The Fox, the Cat and Information Overload

What really is Information Overload? The term has become a catch phrase in our time to denote a flood of information that renders the user almost incapable of acting effectively. So what do you think information overload is? But before you answer. Read first this story adapted from Aesop.

One day the Cat and the Fox were having a talk across a field in front of the orchard as they would do from time to time. At one point their discussion led to how they would escape their sworn enemy the dog. The Fox got up and strode in front of the Cat and boasted he would never run out of means to out – fox the dog or its pack. The Fox’s pun was deliberate and he smirked. He told the Cat that he had over a thousand tricks in his pocket to outrun, outsmart and out-fox the dog. The Cat only gazed across the field and begun to survey the area. Then the Cat looked at the smirking Fox and said that he had only knew of one trick. Suddenly, it just happened the Dog and his pack came. And they started to chase after the Fox and the Cat. It just so happened the Cat only knew one trick and it was to climb the nearest tree. With much effort and dash the Cat was able to get to the tree and sanctuary. Unlike his friend The poor Fox who was so busy to decide what tricked to employ that he was captured and killed by the Dog.

To me I am reminded of this story whenever the term Information Overload comes out. What did in the Fox was that he had too many information in his hand that it became a burden than a blessing to him.

So information overload is the state when there is too much information that it makes it difficult or nearly impossible to make a decision or be effectively informed. And information overload can be caused by but not limited to the following: (i) Large amounts of information to read; (ii) A high rate of new information being added constantly; (iii) Contradictions in available information; and (iv) Difficulty of identifying relevant information.

So what is Information Overload to you?