1. Information Overload
Natalie Flood
Informative Speech
July 2015

2. • Lucian: only so much info in a given time
• Memmi: only 6 pieces of info
simultaneously
• Neuroscience: sleep deprivation
increases impaired attention, decision
making, learning, and memory

3. Thesis Statement
Information Overload (“IO”) is a product of
our information society and can have
detrimental effects for those who are
unaware, or unequipped to respond.

4. Definition
Information Overload
Woolfson says: “an excess of information
that results in the loss of ability to make
decisions, process information
expeditiously, and prioritize tasks
effectively.”

5. Let’s face it-- we have most
of human knowledge at our
fingertips!

6. This information is
accessible by:
• Anyone
• Anywhere
• Anytime

7. Negative Results
• Confusion – Inability to receive
• Distraction – Inability to focus
• Fatigue – Inability to process

8. Prevention
• Retrieve only the type of
information that is pertinent.
• Filter the amount of information
that is appropriate.
• Evaluate the quality of information
that is received.

9. Recap
• We must be prepared to combat “IO” by
adopting information management skills.
• If not, we are at a risk of missing
knowledge by an inability of process
information.

10. What about you?
Did you just miss
everything I said???