The Needle in the Haystack

Abstract

Since the invention of the printing press, individuals have created and shared more information at increasing rates, and this has further accelerated with the proliferation of information technology and the increase in Internet accessibility. Humans' ability to absorb and process information has not evolved alongside the speed at which information can be created and shared. This chapter examines what impact this abundance of information has had on society and its ability to process, examine, and retain information. The relationship between information overload and society's ability to discern the veracity of information is discussed. The author makes recommendations for how individuals and organizations can harness their information overload and continue to discern fact from fiction and create a more truthful world.