The key in dealing with volumes of data is to be able to select smartly what in fact is relevant.

Automatic Summarization identifies critical information in the source text.

By pointing to the most important content, the summarization technology allows the readers to make quick determinations if the information is of value.

Much of the research into information management concludes that less is invariably better – just like the back-of-the-book index; referencing only the ctitical content.

boyd is right, no problem at all … but he doesn’t know why …

and “attention economics” is just a joke buzzword …

yogis know the answer, but since no grant money or keynote speeches will accrue to them, and the desire for western experts to attain both is near-unstoppable, i will give the shorthand version, you can dismiss it at you leisure, or instantly …

pay attention to the self only … then all that is needed comes at the right time, nothing is ever lost, no overload is possible …

enjoy

On the path that Thomas outlined of throwing seeds of imagined idealities into the feed, there may be several ways to help practical narratives sprout from the seeds.

One would be to use prediction markets. In these markets, various narratives that emerge from the information flow on how to reach a desired state – perhaps a desired health outcome – can attract wagers on their rates of acceptance and likely success in achieving a desired result.

A second would be to introduce actual rewards – as well as reputation benefits – for co-creators of (successful) narratives on achieving results, as well as by those who bet on these in the prediction markets. The Young Foundation in the UK has recently launched Social Impact Bonds that are an example of how such actual rewards can operate.

Adding prediction markets and actual rewards to the information flow be a catalyst for more useful narratives to form and emerge from the seeds of imagined idealities.

Best,

Mark Frazier
Openworld
@openworld @buildership

Thomas Petersen has opened the door to an intriguing new way to deal with information overload in “Slaves of the Feed: This is not the real-time we’ve been waiting for”

His post is well worth a look at http://j.mp/8nhRfW .

Petersen’s idea – and the ensuing conversation – suggest we can outline desired futures and toss them into the feed, and reel back in coherent narratives with practical paths for fulfilling the ends we are seeking.

Best,

Mark Frazier
@openworld @buildership (twitter)

However, I think that Ken Gillgren’s post today has some interesting things to say on the topic as well:

http://patterns.gillgrencommunication.com/2010/01/12/social-media-as-engagement/

We need to develop more sophisticated filters, and be faster in quickly skimming worthy contents.