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Why Too Much Data Is Stressing Us Out

posted by n1 on Saturday November 28 2015, @07:03AM   Printer-friendly
from the contexuallyirrelevantrelativeintepretationsofconceptualpsychologicaleconomicscientificpropaganda dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

New research from analysts at ESRI UK has found that a third of us feel stressed due to the increasing amount of digital information we are expected to consume, make sense of, and act on, in our day to day lives.

Many of us can probably relate to the stress of having to prepare for exams by "cramming" as much information into our heads as we can. But increasingly we are being expected to "cram" every day, with information fired at us by emails, phone conversations, videos, news broadcasts and social media. As a trivial example – there's no longer an excuse to forget Aunt June's birthday when she knows full well everyone will get a reminder via Facebook FB -0.95%!

Now science has stepped forward with an explanation. The human brain thrives on novelty and is driven to constantly seek it. When novelty is available in effectively unlimited quantity, the brain becomes overworked as it tries to process this information while driving itself on to search for more. This leads to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to confusion, memory loss and a state of restlessness.

The study of 1,000 Brits found that over a third (35%) feel that having to keep up with today's "information overload" leaves them feeling stressed out, unable to relax and anxious. Two thirds (65%) say that the need to keep track of a great deal of information is a "major concern" in their lives.

Others might cite major sources of stress as scope creep and compressed timelines, but YMMV.

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 4, Funny) by MrNemesis on Saturday November 28 2015, @09:59AM

    by MrNemesis (1582) on Saturday November 28 2015, @09:59AM (#269051)

    Even better than that are the multiple "choice" questions that make me think I'm going to get partial credit for being X more refreshed.

    A client wants to set up a web-based collaborative working environment, what would you recommend?
    a) Oracle
    b) LAMP
    c) Microsoft SharePoint™, the world-leading collaborative working environment for tomorrow's web today
    d) Pepsi

    --
    "To paraphrase Nietzsche, I have looked into the abyss and been sick in it."
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  • (Score: 4, Funny) by cmn32480 on Saturday November 28 2015, @05:19PM

    by cmn32480 (443) <cmn32480NO@SPAMgmail.com> on Saturday November 28 2015, @05:19PM (#269152) Journal

    This looks like an actual question off a Microsoft Exam..... you aren't supposed to put the test material out for the public you know!

    --
    "It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson

    • (Score: 2) by Nuke on Saturday November 28 2015, @11:54PM

      by Nuke (3162) on Saturday November 28 2015, @11:54PM (#269272)

      It's OK, he didn't let on what the right answer is.