Information Overload
By Cindy Furnare
Rightgrrl Contributor
July 2, 2002
"Attention all personnel..report to your battle stations. I repeat --- report to your battle stations." Sounds official alright, but if you don't know what to do at your battle stations; you're going to lose the battle. It's just that simple.
Our society is suffering from information overload. In my opinion, we need to examine this problem and fix it quick. We will never win The War On Terror if we don't know how to connect the dots and utilize information to its maximum potential.
Let's address the most often heard complaints regarding information overload and see what solutions we come up with. Here's what I am hearing via the media:
COMPLAINT: THE GOVERNMENT IS ISSUING TOO MANY ALERTS AND WARNINGS.
CINDY'S RESPONSE: No, it's not. It's up to you to decide if this alert pertains to you. Pay attention to the alert or ignore the alert. Eventually, you will find out if you made a wise choice in this matter.
COMPLAINT: IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT CERTAIN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED WITH INFORMATION THEY ARE RECEIVING FROM CITIZENS AND OTHER SOURCES.
CINDY'S RESPONSE: Don't be overwhelmed. Prioritize your information. Categorize your information. Look for patterns and similarities in your information. Share your information (when appropriate to do so) with other agencies who may be able to assist you in deciphering and/or clarifying your information. Ask your supervisor(s) as to how you can more effectively utilize all that information you are receiving.
COMPLAINT: FAMILIES ARE TURNING OFF THE TV AND RENTING VIDEOS AND DVDS SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE ENDLESS NEWS REGARDING TERRORISM.
CINDY'S RESPONSE: Family entertainment is a great idea. Ignoring reality however, could be detrimental to your well-being. One should be informed regarding terrorist activities that could affect us. Being informed is one way we can attempt to keep ourselves and our families out of harm's way.
COMPLAINT: ACCORDING TO A USA TODAY.com ARTICLE ON JUNE 25, 2002, "CONFIDENCE IN WAR ON TERROR WANES."
CINDY'S RESPONSE: If you are one of the people who feel this way, then write your elected officials and present your suggestions as to how we can improve the way we fight The War On Terror. Sign petitions that agree with your point of view. Get involved. (For resource links on this subject go to http://www.truthusa.com/911.html)
COMPLAINT: I HATE HEARING ABOUT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES BECAUSE I FEEL SO HELPLESS, USELESS AND SOMETIMES DEPRESSED.
CINDY'S RESPONSE: It's only natural to feel disturbed and sad when hearing about the seemingly unending news regarding terrorist activities. Tbe good news is that you can help fight The War On Terror. It does not matter if you're young, old or in the middle; there is something everyone can do to win this War On Terror. (For resource links on this subject go to http://www.truthusa.com/911.html)
COMPLAINT: I'M AFRAID.
CINDY'S RESPONSE: That's normal. For the future of our country, I am asking you to set your fear aside and get involved in fighting this War On Terror.
COMPLAINT: HOW COME ARMED MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE NOT PATROLLING AMERICA'S BORDERS AND STATIONED AT ALL BORDER CROSSINGS?
CINDY'S RESPONSE: I don't know. Why don't you write to your elected officials and ask them?
Copyright 2002 by Cindy Furnare. Not to be reproduced in any fashion, in whole or in part, without written consent from the author. All rights reserved.