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information glut

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I'm in the middle of reading Technopoly by Neil Postman right now. So far (70 pages in), it's an interesting book about the rise of technology and the attendant spread of information, and the consequences of this. Here is a quote:

We are a culture consuming itself with information, and many of us do not even wonder how to control the process.

Postman published this in 1992. Think back to 1992. The Internet was still only for academics, researchers, college students, and some enthusaists who were coming over from the BBS world. Cable television hadn't exploded to 500+ channels. Satellite radio hadn't made its entrance with its 500+ stations. If he thought we had an information glut in 1992, I hesitate to consider what he would think of the information available in 2006. The human genome is being mapped, we're working on cloning, many newspapers have an online presence. I don't read a newspaper anymore, I read through several online news sources (the Beeb, CNN, the Sydney Morning-Herald) for my news.

And here, right now, I am creating more information. And you're reading it. Blogging is all about creating and spreading information. This isn't a judgement, but merely an observation. I'll have to think more about information and my own place in its creation and consumption as I continue to read this book.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    July 17, 2006
    I've always enjoyed Neil Postman's writing, even though in later years he was a bit of a self-proclaimed ludite. He questioned basic assumptions about the environments we live in, especially in relation to media. Unfortunately he passed away nearly 3 years ago after a battle with lung cancer. I would also recommend "Amusing Ourselves to Death".
  • Anonymous
    July 17, 2006
    I've read a fair number of his articles, but this is the first book of his that I've read.  I've got 'Amusing Ourselves to Death' in my to-read pile, but the pile is really closer to a mountain these days, so I'm not sure when I'll get to it. :)
  • Anonymous
    July 17, 2006
    Yes the road to a pile of books is filled with good intentions. Since one of the book in my pile is "Getting Things Done" you may wish to guess the size of my pile :)