Abundance: On the Experience of Living in a World of Information Plenty

Information overload has been a concern for centuries, and the digital age has exacerbated this problem. In his book "Abundance," Pablo J. Boczkowski explores the experience of living in a society with more information available than ever before, focusing on the interpretations, emotions, and practices of dealing with this abundance. He concludes that information abundance is tied to an overall unsettling of society, a reconstitution of how we understand and perform our relationships with others, and a twin depreciation of facts and appreciation of fictions.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 24 September 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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For centuries, humans have grappled with the overwhelming challenge of information overload. Throughout different historical periods, significant advancements in knowledge availability have driven the development of intricate systems for organizing, indexing, and compiling information. At the same time, concerns have arisen about the potential consequences of an abundance of information, including cultural anxiety and even madness.

The advent of the digital age has reignited these concerns, as we navigate a vast sea of online data, struggling to discern what is truly important and allocate our attention to it effectively. In his book "Abundance," Pablo J. Boczkowski takes a fresh approach to understanding the experience of living in a society that boasts an unprecedented amount of information readily accessible to the public. Building upon existing scholarship in the field, Boczkowski offers a novel framework that explores the interpretations, emotions, and practices associated with navigating this abundance in everyday life.

Through extensive fieldwork and survey research conducted in Argentina, "Abundance" delves into the intricate interplay between the availability of information and its actual impact on individuals, media, politics, and society. By examining the role of cultural and structural factors that mediate this relationship, Boczkowski provides a comprehensive account of information abundance in the Global South.

In his conclusion, Boczkowski argues that the experience of information abundance is closely linked to a broader unsettling of society, a reevaluation of our understanding and performance of relationships with others, and a simultaneous depreciation of facts and an appreciation of fictions. This book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex dynamics of information in the modern world, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that arise from our ever-expanding knowledge landscape.

\n Weight: 366g\n
Dimension: 234 x 155 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780197565759\n \n