Information oversaturation: key problems

Abstract

He main goal of the research is the explication of the specific traits of the present information environment that form the situation of information oversaturation and the conduct of the analysis of their influence upon the individual cognitive abilities and social communications. The article analyzes the role of information and digital technologies as a special technical phenomenon that cause present social transformations. Author analyzes the concepts of «data», «information» and «knowledge» where information is seen as a message that can be transformed into knowledge only when certain conditions are met. The main character traits of the present information environment are outlined that lead to information oversaturation of the person:1) the easy access and high speed of the information transfer; 2) aggressive imposing of the unnecessary information; 3) one-sidedness of the surrounding information due to the specifics of the Internet services; 4) dependence of the individual and of the society on communication technologies. The possible effects of information oversaturation are formulated: 1) the decrease of the success rate of cognitive activity of the individuals; 2) transformations of the individual memory (its «externalization») that bring about the necessity of the education system revision; 3) transformation of the information sources into the sources of constant stress for the individuals; 3) social conflicts that are brought about by moral unreadiness of the individuals and society for the use of the present communicative possibilities provided by information technologies. The conclusion is drawn that the full analysis of the aforementioned problems is needed that should help to find the balance in the system «human-society-information» on the present level of societal development.