Posted by Denham on November 07, 1999 at 22:37:07:

In Reply to: Re: Information Overload posted by Reilly Atkinson on November 07, 1999 at 21:29:09:

Reilly, seems you are talking about cognitive processing and short term memory. I have no problems with that aspect of information overload and think there are strategies, artifacts and community / team processes that can help in those situations. There is a large amount of research published around situated cognition. My fault for not making it clear in my previos post, I'm talking about information overload at personal level where the individual perceives that there is far more out there than can ever be understood, read, attended to, actioned, or paid sufficient attention. So I'm thinking of longer term issues, looking at coping strategies and heuristics for dealing with a montain of information. I'm saying communities can help to focus attention, can point you in promising directions, alert you to new forces and bring you important news. This does not do away with simultaneous cognitive processing constraints.

If you filter still leaves you in overlaod it is time to focus, seek advice, alter your rythms of inquiry and reflection. Time and attention are universal human constraints. I see a difference between short term cognitive overload (your pilot example) and personal focus, goal setting and dealing with the deluge of potentially interesting avenues, connections and courses open to us. So no argument with the rule of seven, but was giving some ideas for wider, longer term attention issues.

What heuristics have worked for you, Reilly, how did you deterimine where to pay attenion and what road to travel? I still maintain perception of information overload, in this context, is all in the mind!

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Information Overload Reilly Atkinson 13:31:46 11/08/99 (2)
  • Re: Information Overload Mezei 18:46:00 11/08/99 (1)
    • Re: Information Overload Reilly Atkinson 12:18:52 11/09/99 (0)

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