More information in a day than in a lifetime
Some studies estimate that the average person today processes or gets exposed to more information in a day than a person would come across in their whole life a few hundred years ago. But we still have the same brain. And the production of information has increased around 50,000 times just since the 1970s.
Currently, the amount of information that is created every two days is roughly equivalent to the amount of information that was created between the beginning of human civilization and the year 2003 (Jackson and Farzaneh, 2012).
Information overload is related to strain, burnout, decision paralysis, performance loss, health issues, and more.
It is highly connected to the usage of digital tech and screens.
But remember that having ear buds and listening to music or podcast is also taking in information, even if it can feel relaxing!
How to balance information intake
While we live in an information abundant world, there are luckily some simple steps to take to reduce the overload that can help both short, and long-term:
- Design low-information zones. Deliberately select times/places where you reduce the information intake from screens and headphones
- Limit the number of channels you use. Decide on one messaging app; one weather app; one news app etc.
- Reduce your news intake.
- Delete apps from your phone
- Take regular breaks from high-information tasks
Getting from idea to action
It is not what you know that counts. It is what you do with what you know.
So now I invite you to consider your “information diet”, and how you would like to change it. Think of all the information you take in daily and consider which information you would like to reduce, and which of the steps above you want to implement.
If you want some advice on how to create habits that stick, check out this earlier post.
I’m sharing regularly on the topic of how technology is impacting our lives and how to find a better balance. If you likes this post, check out my book Tech-Life Balance: 101 Ways to Thrive in a Digital World.
Taíno Bendz is the founder of Phone Free Day and his own consulting business, and his message on mindful and intentional technology usage has reached and inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world. He is a public speaker, workshop facilitator, and conducts research on digital technology usage. Taíno holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management and has spent the last 10 years working in technology sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare IT, and software automation. He currently lives in Sweden with his family. He is the author of Tech-Life Balance.
