Continuing with the theme of information retrieval and information overload, I continue to be amazed at how this overabundance of information has been an issue for far longer than I ever realized. I have subscribed to many discussion lists over the years, and I managed to keep up with a few of them for a while, but I’ve had to give up on most of them. There just isn’t time to read lists and blogs simply to educate myself about new topics. Back in 1975, Doyle suggested that the ability to keep up with new knowledge would likely become a “futile process” for many people (p. 11), and I think she was right. She presciently predicted a fundamental shift away from learning what is known in anticipation of its possible later value, toward leaning how to find out what one needs to know when it is needed. Just a few months ago, Bates (2007) noted she had shifted from “ ‘just in case’ reading of blogs and discussion lists to ‘just in time’ searching” for she what she needed. To preserve my sanity, I have come to the conclusion that I must do the same.
References
Bates, M. E. (2007, November 15). What’s that content doing? EContent. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticleReader.aspx?ArticleID=40185&ContextSubtypeID=13
Doyle, L. B. (1975). Information retrieval and processing. Los Angeles: Melville.
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2 comments:
I would have to agree also. When I am looking for something and don't have time to read vast amounts of information of the subject. I tend to look for things that as just right for the time and I may bookmark other things to comeback to later. And some of the things that I read may be reviews or blogs.
I have also joined the just in time cause. I have found I don't have time to read as many journal articles anymore. I even quit subscribing to most, knowning that I can just search for it when I need it. I wish I had time to explore topics for the sake of knowledge, but now I focus on information survival.
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