Information overload and information literacy

Abstract

Qualified by some authors as a misnomer or a modern-day myth, information overload is major problem that affects the business world, academia and the professions. Among the causes of information overload we find too much information. The extreme diversity of information can also lead to overload. Diversity may occur in the formats used, as well. We can distinguish between the macro level and the micro level of information overload. The first one is related to the limits of physical storage and (mainly) human processing capacities in managing information properly. The micro level is of qualitative nature and it is essentially a failure to filter information. The prevalence of Web 2.0 technologies also contributes to information overload as it cultivates an information environment, which is uncontrolled, where producing information is easy and there is an expectation of constant novelty. Proper information literacy education can help in alleviating the symptoms of information overload.