The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics

Book Review Chapter 20:

Information Overload: DAVID M. LEVY

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232853902&sr=8-1

Quote:  “Is information overload simply a question of one’s subjective state—that one feels overloaded—or must there be some objective reality to it?”

    In my opinion, I do think that information overload is true. Indeed, I have experienced this many times already. Once you hit information overload, your brain definitely can’t take or absorb any more information it’s receiving. Of course, there is the real one and there is the fake. People, especially students tell their professors that they are in the state of information overload, just so the professor would stop lecturing. Because I admit that there are days where in the lesson is just plain boring and you just want to escape from it. Anyway, going back, information overload is real in my experience. It’s difficult when you have information overload.

Learning Expectation:

    Based on the title of the chapter, I could say that this chapter is going to explain to us something about information overload. Obviously, the term information overload is not actually the kind of term, which is esoteric for everyone else. Information overload is quite a popular term in my experience and we often use it when our brain cannot handle any more information it is receiving. So basically, what I want to learn from this chapter is how does information overload relate to ethics and computers. I mean, does a computer get information overload that often than us humans?

Review:

    As you read through the chapter, the introduction basically gives an overview about information overload. Interestingly, just like what I have said in my learning expectation, the book also says that it is a popular term, especially these days where in you have all the devices to get information like mobile phone, text messages, emails, chat messages, and what have you. It is also said that 2007, the term information overload has yielded more than six million hits for the phrase, talk about information overload! So as you read more the book explains what information overload actually is, the definition, the process, and other stuff. So basically, this chapter talks about information overload and things related to it.

What I’ve learned:

    I have learned that information overload is more popular than I ever expected it to be. It seems that a lot of people really do get information overload and based from my experience, it doesn’t feel good when you are in that state. A nice relaxation or vacation would really feel good when your in the information overload state.

Questions:

1.    Why does some think that there is more to information overload?

2.    It is human nature, why go deeper and dissect its meaning?

3.    Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t get overload?

4.    Why are we discussing this topic?

5.    How does it relate to computers?

Citation: (Kenneth Einar E. Himma & Herman T. Tavani, 2008)