We Are Drowning in Information but Starving for Perspective

There is so much data coming at us every hour of every day. Even with all of this access, I still feel more confused than informed. We are not starving for information; we are starving for perspective. A recent Pew Research Center report found that about half of Americans say they are worn out by the amount of news there is these days. I think people are worn out because there is too much of it all the time. At some point we just stop caring about it.

I consume a lot of content about the world around me. It is very easy to feel productive while reading headlines, listening to podcasts, or scrolling. A lot of that consumption however does not actually make me understand what is going on. It just gives me more pieces. 

Photo by me: Reno, NV

I can know a hundred facts and still not understand the bigger picture. This is especially true now because so much of what we consume is designed to be fast, emotional, and engaging. The American Psychological Association has written about how media overload and headline stress can take a toll on mental health. We live in a time where it is possible to be updated on everything and grounded in nothing.

The internet is very good at giving us updates, reactions, and opinions. It is not good at helping us slow down and understand what is going on. Many of us collect puzzle pieces all day without ever looking at the picture on the box.

I am not trying to add more noise to the pile. I am trying to translate complexity into something practical. I want to feel that I am actually gaining understanding, not just collecting more input. 

Check out my last blog where I try to put some puzzle pieces together.