Potential consequences of information overload on the human brain

In a world of information overload, how do we process what knowledge is relevant and what is not? In order to answer this question, we must first take a look at the organ primarily responsible for the cognition of that information.

The human brain is a complex organ. It takes information from multiple inputs or senses, which then generate a chain of electrical and chemical reactions that the brain interprets. Over time, and in various geographical locations, the things which humans consciously pay attention to in their environments change in concurrence with their needs for survival.

Working with excess information

In contemporary society, we have more information available than what is in our immediate surroundings or environment. In general, we have more information available for use than we have ever had before. Perhaps it is no longer efficient, necessary, or even possible to accurately process what knowledge is relevant (or could be in the future) and what is not.

In a world of information overload, we must learn how to go about finding various types of information. In a metaphorical sense, rather than our minds being an open book, our intellectual processing and cognition will be best served by figuring out which key will open the library door. As the platforms through which information is presented evolve, as the type of information that is useful evolves, and as the importance of remembering certain kinds of information deteriorates, how will our future be affected?