Information overload refers to a situation where an individual is exposed to an excessive amount of information, making it difficult for them to process, understand, and make decisions. This phenomenon can lead to feelings of anxiety, confusion, and cognitive fatigue, and can negatively impact a person's ability to focus and be productive.
In the late 1980s, computer addiction was not as widespread or well-recognized as it is today. During that time personal computers were becoming more common but they were not yet ubiquitous in households, and the internet was still in its infancy. Computer use was primarily for work or educational purposes, and the scope of available activities was limited compared to today's technology landscape.
However, some individuals in the late 1980s did exhibit compulsive computer use especially among those engaged in computer programming, gaming, or online bulletin board systems (BBS). These cases were relatively isolated, and the general awareness of computer addiction as a problem was limited.
Today, computer addiction has become a more significant issue, mainly due to the widespread availability of computers, smartphones, and the internet. People now use computers and other digital devices for various activities, including work, communication, entertainment, and socializing. The rise of social media, online gaming, and other engaging online activities has contributed to a growing number of individuals experiencing compulsive or excessive use of digital devices.
Computer addiction, sometimes referred to as internet addiction or digital addiction, is now recognized as a real concern by mental health professionals. It can lead to negative consequences, such as social isolation, relationship problems, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Efforts have been made to develop prevention and intervention strategies to address the issue, including raising awareness, providing support resources, and developing guidelines for healthy technology use.
In the late 1980s access to information was limited with people relying on newspapers, television, radio and books for their information needs. While information overload existed it was generally easier to manage and filter the available information.
Today the sheer volume of information available online, as well as the constant barrage of notifications and updates from social media, emails, and apps, has made it much more challenging to navigate and process information effectively. While the internet and digital devices have given us unprecedented access to information and communication, they have also contributed to a significant increase in information overload compared to the late 1980s.
In 1988, the internet was in its infancy, and access to it was limited mostly to academic and research institutions. The World Wide Web had not yet been invented, and people generally relied on traditional media sources like newspapers, television, and radio for information. Information overload existed, but the volume and variety of information sources were far more limited than today.
The internet has obviously revolutionized the way we access and consume information.
In 1988 there were only a few thousand internet users. By 2021, there were over 4.9 billion internet users worldwide.
In 1991 when the World Wide Web was launched, there was only one website. By September 2021, there were over 1.9 billion websites.
Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram did not exist in 1988. As of 2021 there were over 4.2 billion social media users globally.
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David Hoffman filmmaker