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Discussion No matter whether you're hooked up a little or dialed in a lot, the effects of technology are hard to escape. As we adopt more and more gadgets and media into our lives, the threat of information overload becomes very real. As the text states, information overload can affect us in a host of negative ways, including hurting our relationships, impeding critical thinking, promoting indecisiveness, and creating the normalization of hyperbole.

Coping with information overload is fast becoming an important part of being a competent communicator. Some techniques you can use include screening information, such as ignoring junk emails and irrelevant voicemails. Learn to disconnect yourself periodically from your electronic tether if you find you have little or no time for yourself. Break the email feedback loop by avoiding unnecessary, superfluous responses. When researching, commit yourself to narrowing the search so that you don't spend hours and hours looking, when you should be doing. Lastly, de-nichify by keeping a broad perspective and avoiding over-specialization. By carefully and mindfully managing the technology in your life, you can enjoy all of its benefits and avoid the pitfalls of information overload.

Websites for Consideration:

http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/infooverload.htm - From the Business Know-How site, this is a short article dealing with information overload by Jen Jasper, author of "Take Back Your Time: How To Regain Control of Work, Information and Technology."

http://www.laurushealth.com/healthyliving/Mar02MindBodyInfoOverload.htm - From the VHA group, a network of community-owned health care systems, comes this short, helpful article offering specific strategies for coping with information overload.