A short article over at Inc.com about workers struggling with data overloading made me consider whether or not we really are overloaded with data. Personally I believe that there is certainly such a thing as data overload, but that this does not necessarily mean that important information is easier lost in the long-run for everyone.

Yes, there will be some people who will not be able to handle going through so much data or even trying to figure out some scientific method to the madness (think of some kind of SEO Science) and they will lose their competitive advantage over millions of others.

I’m more interested in those that can rise above the short-run problems of too much data and learn how to become better researchers in order to find that needle in a haystack at a faster rate. IE: Rather than just continuing in the normal search pattern as they always have (in order from first to last), but rather through some innovative algorithmic approach that uses some rather magnetic tools to find that special needle.

Sure, you have to be careful about what kind of data you could be losing or missing out on through some abrogated researching, but in the end, I personally believe the benefits outweigh the costs.

Bring on the data I say! Plop it down in front of me and let me work my wonders and find that interesting tidbit of useful information.