> Resources and Publications > PHC RIS infonet > October 2006

Editorial: Sharing knowledge without transmitting 'Infoluenza'

As an information service PHC RIS is acutely aware of the traps caused by too much information and not enough meaning. We endeavour to provide information from which people can derive meaning without inundating our policy advisors, researchers and Divisions staff with redundant material. This week I came across the concept of 'infoluenza' on the ACT-KM listserve in an item sent to me by my colleague Luke Naismith.

Naismith defined 'infoluenza' as:

1. The frustrated, overwhelmed and unfulfilled feeling that results from continued efforts to broaden information or knowledge management systems.
2. An epidemic of confusion, vendor hype, paralysis by analysis, and suspect decision-making caused by dogged pursuit of a 'Technology Nirvana'.
3. An unsustainable addiction to incorporating more and more information.

One of the flurry of responses on the listserve stated that information overload is partly a supply problem, from the flood of information in multiple media formats, but also has a demand aspect. To quote Matt Moore, human beings are hard-wired for scarcity - of food, of information. Hence when we find ourselves in an environment replete with food (and high calories food at that) some of us just pig out. There is a similar issue with information. Some of us gorge ourselves on emails and web-based content.

An effective vaccine for infoluenza has not yet been developed, to my knowledge. However, we may make a complete recovery by taking time out to think, appreciating the meaning and value of the information we already have, and increasing our understanding of the needs of our colleagues. A more evidence based approach to this would be most welcome.