The digital revolution and the growth of information
With the emergence of the Internet, knowledge was expected to become accessible to everyone. However, the explosion of information has complicated our ability to discern what is relevant. Every day, amounts of data are generated that exceed our capacity for understanding, with a majority created by and for computers, with little human intervention.
Factors promoting data exploitation
The increase in interconnected devices and the digitalization of ancient processes have multiplied data generation. This new age has not only accelerated data production, but has radically transformed our reality. The massive use of applications is one of the engines of this transformation.
Advantages of data
The ability to process a huge amount of data brings significant benefits, such as more precocious medical diagnoses and more accurate financial and meteorological predictions. This new age of information offers us unprecedented opportunities.
The risks associated with excessive information
Despite the advantages, the increase in data also generates concerns in terms of privacy, security and misinformation. It is paradoxical that, with more information available, misinformation has become more prevalent. The lack of context and critical analysis leads us to confusion and distrust.
The phenomen of ‘Slop’
The English term ‘slop’ refers to the excess of information that can be oblivious to the arguments. Ramon Barnils said years ago that ‘if the information is reliable, little is enough.’ In the current context of polarization, this paradox is more relevant than ever.
The scarcity of attention in the digital age
In our daily lives, attention is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. The distractions are constant, with notifications that catch us in a cycle of incessant stimuli. The algorithms, designed to capture our attention, often divert us from deep thought and reflection.
Looking for a balance
In this new section, we propose to explore how to focus on what really matters. Through relevant data, we will look for a critical analysis that helps us to better understand the world around us and ourselves.