Hyperconnectivity Part 2: Finding a Balance

The other day, I posted a blog on how hyperconnectivity is here to stay. Related to this, I just came across an article in the New York Times on how Microsoft, Google, Intel, IBM, and others are forming a nonprofit group to study the problem of information overload.

The group is researching how to best harness the power and productivity of hyperconnectivity without succumbing to its excesses. As the article says:

"Their effort comes as statistical and anecdotal evidence mounts that the same technology tools that have led to improvements in productivity can be counterproductive if overused."

There's a fine line between productivity and distraction (another topic I've written about). Much depends on how the technology is used as compared to the individual's habits and goals. The answer won't be the same for everyone. But still, we must develop a suite of options that people can consider (which may be as simple as encouraging people to declare "downtime" hours).

As IBM researcher John Tang says, “There’s a competitive advantage of figuring out how to address this problem.”

Incidentally, I heard about this article through Michael Sampson's wonderful blog on Effective Collaboration.

Here's the NY Times article:

Lost in E-Mail, Tech Firms Face Self-Made Beast - NYTimes.com