Too Much Information

We are living in the information age, and for that in most ways we are fortunate. Our lives are better for the ability to acquire and share information, and to connect with each other socially across great distance. One of the challenges of this age is figuring out what to do with excess information. When it comes to social and news media, television, streaming services and the associated barrage, beware. You can decide how much of your precious time you want to give to consuming this form of entertainment and information. Staying in contact with friends is a critical part of healthy emotional connection, but the intrusion of social media into daily life has been profound. Go for a walk or out to dinner with a friend and leave your cellular device behind. See how it feels to connect with nature or another person without distraction again. Make a habit of this practice periodically and you will discover a new sense of peace and a better sense of connection with anyone in your presence.

Information excess not only causes distraction but also confusion and sometimes ignorance. The problem here is sorting what is meaningful and more importantly, what is true. Seeking truth is the realm of philosophy and science. It is more complicated than you may think, and yet, there are some strategies you can use to avoid being fooled. Pay attention to sources of your information. Be aware of motives and intentions on the part of writers, publishers, broadcasters, podcasters, and social media posters. Find sources of information that are trustworthy and reduce your exposure to questionable sources. Learn skills of appraisal of evidence and how to detect sources of error and bias in reporting and in research studies. Watch out for economic incentives which will introduce bias into the presentation of information. Look for presentations and articles that give the pros and cons of an issue, or a more complete assessment taking different perspectives.

How do we find the truth? Science and the specifically the scientific method has been the greatest invention of humans in the acquisition of knowledge and the description of reality. Philosophy and the invention of logical reasoning has also been a foundational advancement in discovering truth. The scientific method involves generation of a hypothesis about the true nature of reality and then constructing experiments to support or refute the hypothesis. If the hypothesis is refuted, new ideas are generated and tested. If the idea is supported by experimentation and is consistently reproducible without being disproved, it gets us a bit closer to understanding the nature of reality. As more and more studies and experiments are done, we acquire more and more understanding, building on what has been discovered previously. The method is not a generator of proof however, but rather a piece of support for a hypothesis about reality which may be only part of the story. The more consistently an idea is supported with additional experimental evidence, the more accepted it becomes as true understanding of reality.

Not all science is created equally. Experiments and research studies are prone to bias and human motivations just as are other forms of information. In order to combat these human tendencies, scientists and mathematicians have created systems to reduce human bias in the conduct and reporting of scientific experiments. There are also different types of experimental design, with differing levels of assurance that the results are truly meaningful. Without the skills to critically appraise scientific evidence, we are subject to the claims of advertisers and other economically motivated individuals and organizations to influence our behavior and spending based on evidence of dubious quality. The nature of science is that as new evidence is produced, reappraisal of accepted knowledge occurs. If a study is highly credible, of high quality, design, free of bias, and with reproducible results, it will be more influential in changing our understanding. Unfortunately, in media reporting, in addition to reporting on advances in knowledge, there is also reporting of results from low quality or flawed studies without the necessary critical appraisal process. This serves to confuse people, especially if they are not familiar with the differing qualities of evidence. It is helpful to have experts in critical appraisal of evidence to share their insights into the quality of scientific findings, as well as develop critical appraisal skills in yourself.

Appraisal of evidence is also important to finding the truth in other realms such as in the practice of law and administration of justice. Experienced and ethical litigators and judges know how to interpret evidence, and what biases affect that interpretation. They too have a hierarchy of evidence quality that supports a case more or less strongly. Technology companies are wrestling with removing human bias from artificial intelligence functions that control the flow of information that reaches our news screens and social media feeds. While openness and creativity are healthy mindsets to cultivate in yourself, in order to seek truth, a critical and skeptical approach is necessary. Be aware of the motives behind the presentation of information. It has become apparent that in the realm of politics, truth has taken a back seat to the goal of promoting agendas at any cost, without regard to morality or virtue. When leaders lack virtue, our societies suffer in the end. Honesty, integrity, and character are just as important now as they have ever been. Do not be fooled by the chaos and distraction of too much information. Spend your time, energy and focus on the most important things, including the pursuit of truth.