The laws shaping the reality of information dissemination

Now and in the future, we will occasionally have to talk about three shaping laws of information dissemination. The wheel of time cannot be turned back, and a truthful handling of a sea of information becomes a virtue.

There are three forms of information dissemination, which in themselves are neither good nor bad, but still not neutral, as Bernhard Pörksen expresses in his book "The Great Irritation" in memory of the technology historian Melvin Kranzberg.

Information that falls under digital dissemination is too fast to become wise immediately. This form of information is—once circulated—rarely recallable and thus unrestrictedly accessible. If the information irritates the mind, excitement spirals arise, as the late Professor Kruse, who passed away in 2015, pointedly described in the Enquete Commission on the Internet and Digital Society of the German Bundestag as early as 2010.

It is worthwhile listening from minute 34:25, and Peter Kruse's later comments are just as enlightening.

Information disseminated at the speed of light is poorly compatible with the human mind. In the attempt to keep up with the information, we have to reduce it to master the flow. But even every single drop rubbed into our eyes comes more and more frequently without asking. Therefore, I recall another incident from the year 2010.

Peter Wippermann, a well-known trend researcher, used the term "Flow Control" in the context of the 15th German Trend Day. He referred to the challenges and opportunities of living in virtual worlds. Wippermann’s concept of Flow Control aims to gain control over the flow of information and one's digital presence. It's about using digital technologies consciously to avoid overwhelm while effectively utilizing the benefits of networking.

The book "The Great Irritation" from 2018 is a diagnosis that now—half a decade later—remains a recommendation.