Information Overload: Yet Still Foolish?

The online world has opened up more possibilities than we ever dreamed possible. Anytime, anywhere, the world seems to be at our fingertips. But do we have the wisdom needed to make the best use of all this information?

Is there anything you can’t Google these days? (Some of you may even be tempted to Google “Information Overload: Yet Still Foolish?” just to find out!) I recently came across an online advertisement that read, “Google yourself… you might be shocked at the results.” There is no denying that we are living in an age of information abundance. If you carry a smartphone, and who doesn’t?, you literally have the internet in your pocket.

A recent survey conducted in the United States asked people what their number one concern was when entering a public place such as a restaurant, airport, or shopping mall. Ten years ago, the most common response was, “Are there clean restrooms?” But in 2016, the top concern was, “Is there free Wi-Fi?” I chuckled when I read that, only to sheepishly admit that I’ve often thought the same thing myself.

There is nothing inherently wrong with having easy access to information through search engines, websites, or social media. In fact, the online world has opened doors we never imagined, especially in education and work. It allows us to step outside our “little bubble” and can promote cultural, political, social, and religious awareness.

A couple of months ago, my family and I traveled to a foreign country for the first time. Before we left, I was able to research transportation, food, language, and customs in advance, which helped us immensely once we arrived. Thanks to YouTube and TripAdvisor, I even recognized the neighborhood around our hotel while sitting in the taxi!

And yet, ironically, all this information does not seem to be making us wiser, or the world a better place. How do we know? Just turn on the evening news or browse any major news website. Mass murders, racial tensions, religious persecution, and economic instability all appear to be on the rise.

Each day seems to bring headlines more shocking than the last. How did we get here? Is it because we lack information? I don’t think so. Rather, I believe we lack wisdom, wisdom to evaluate, interpret, and responsibly use the information at our disposal.

The Need for Discernment

The availability and quantity of information do not guarantee its quality. The internet has made it easy for everyone to appear like an expert. But do we stop to consider the education, experience, or credibility of the person or group sharing the information before accepting it as truth?

Simply having a blog or website does not make someone an authority on every subject. There is nothing wrong with sharing opinions; the problem arises when we assume our opinions carry the same weight as well-researched, professional expertise, just because we have a platform to express them. Even if a blog receives hundreds or thousands of views, that does not automatically make the information reliable or universally applicable.

This becomes especially concerning when it comes to topics like health, politics, or family matters. Many people blindly follow advice found online, even when the content creator has no formal education or experience in the field. A visually appealing website is often mistaken for a trustworthy one.

Protecting the Vulnerable

Just because information is easily accessible doesn’t mean it is appropriate for everyone. It can be alarming to see what young children know, or think they know, simply due to their exposure to technology.

A child may know how to operate a computer or tablet, but that doesn’t mean they are emotionally or mentally prepared to handle all the information available through those devices. What happens when a child encounters graphic news coverage or explicit medical information while browsing legitimate websites?

We must be discerning about what we expose our children to. Inappropriate content can appear in the most unexpected places, even in a YouTube advertisement before Sesame Street. Anyone who uses the internet knows how easy it is to stumble upon something unintended; often, it finds us before we find it.

Beyond the Screen

Sometimes, the information we need must be accessed offline. Yes, through those ancient objects called books. When I ask students to go to the library and consult a physical book, some react as though I’ve asked them to dig up dinosaur fossils! Yet, the print medium still holds immense value, depending on the context.

I’ll admit, like many others, I often prefer reading online. E-books are increasingly common, and there’s nothing wrong with that, unless it leads us to believe that anything not available online isn’t worth reading. That mindset is unhealthy.

Even toddlers today can operate digital devices with ease. While that’s not inherently bad, does it come at the cost of imagination, play, or human interaction? And what about health decisions? Some people believe they no longer need a doctor’s opinion because they’ve read medical advice online.

Information Without Wisdom

Good information in the wrong hands can have disastrous consequences. I’m not just referring to criminals or extremists, but to ordinary people who misuse social media to slander others, spread misinformation, or promote selfish agendas.

It’s sobering to see how many websites and social media pages exist solely to damage reputations. There have been cases of stalking based on publicly shared information, and even instances where images innocently posted online were misused by predators.

Information by itself, without the wisdom to apply it, is useless. We should be grateful for the vast resources available to us today. But the real question remains: Do we have the wisdom to use this information well?

Do we have an objective standard of truth to guide our understanding of right and wrong, good and evil? Or are we drifting toward a free-for-all, where everyone decides based on personal preference?

Let us hope we are not remembered as the generation that had the most information at its fingertips, yet proved to be the most foolish.