As Clay Shirky describes the digital internet age, it is far from minor and not optional. Right on the mark isn’t it? This description is particularly relevant for the phenomenal information services growth in our world today.The change we are in the middle of isn’t minor and it isn’t optional.– Clay ShirkyHave you ever seen the presentation or video Shift Happens? If you haven’t, give it a review, I am guessing it will ‘boggle your mind’, like it did mine.Here are a few excerpts from this enlightening information:The amount of new technical information is doubling every two years. EVERY TWO YEARS.The top 10 jobs that were in demand in 2013 didn’t exist in 2004. We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that don’t yet exist. All this in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet. Scary, isn’t it?Related post: Game Changing Capabilities for In-Store Retail BusinessFor students starting a 4 year technical or college degree, one half of what they will learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study. We are clearly living in exponential times, aren’t we?Related: 10 Extraordinary Ways for Learning to LearnMore is always better, right? Well yes, and no, would be my answer. Here are some fast facts on information growth and its impacts. Have you noticed the impact of information overload yet?The definition we like best: when the volume of potentially useful and relevant information available exceeds processing capacity and becomes a hindrance rather than a help.Here are some interest facts about how our life is changing with this growth of information and our ability to deal with it:Information services … data growth90% of all the data in the world has been generated over the last two years.Consider an example of Internet PrivacyRunning a business today almost certainly means having a digital presence, and being connected to the Internet. While the benefits of this transformation are many, the Internet privacy and security issues are still a daily challenge, with many solutions in the marketplace to address them.Now internet service providers can sell the browsing habits of their customers to advertisers. It is a move which critics charge will fundamentally undermine consumer privacy in the US.Yes, internet service providers (ISPs) such as Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T are free to track all your browsing behavior and sell it to advertisers without consent. ISPs have access to literally all of your browsing behavior – they act as a gateway for all of your web visits, clicks, searches, app downloads and video streams.This represents a huge treasure trove of personal data, including health concerns, shopping habits, and porn preferences. ISPs want to use this data to deliver personalized advertising.Looking for a valid VPN solution?
Types of information services … your phone will knowYour smartphone knows what you want before you do.Push messaging (Google Now, MindMeld, Urban Airship) is employing your past behavior to predict your next move.
What we consumeInformation consumption in the US is in the order of 3.6 zettabytes (3.6 million gigabytes).
Information services industry … virtual showroomingDiscovery shopping and pre-production purchasing are changing the way we buy goods. It is also changing how retailers display their products.
Information growth explosion … average AmericanThe average American consumes 34 gigabytes / 12 hours of information per day – outside of work.
Information creation“Between the dawn of civilization through 2003, about 5 exabytes of information was created. Now, that much information created every 2 days”. Eric Schmidt – former Google CEO
Big data visualizationA picture speaks a billion bytes; now new apps enable companies to manipulate and interpret reams of usable data in a flash.
Our brainThe maximum number of pieces of information a human brain can handle concurrently is 7. (Miller’s Law).
Doing thingsDoing things will overtake owning things. The experiential economy is putting a further dent in competitive consumption; it’s not what you buy, it’s what you do (and who you tell).
Overload impactInformation overload is linked to greater stress and poorer health. |
Gamification of medical trainingSimulators are transforming surgical instruction and helping students retain a competitive edge. |