2nd Annual Shutdown Day May 3rd

There is a lot of discussion and some evidence that many of us spend way too much time on computers, ipods, and blueberrys.

The second annual shutdown day is upon us. I for one will be participating. This year it is on a saturday. NO excuses now. Got to do it. I think I will be going to a street fair.  Maybe take my niece.

Tune out, turn off and get away from addictive electronics for 24 hours on May 3 and enjoy the outdoors.

That’s the message from organizers of the second annual global Shutdown Day

While I was not able to find any good research on the current levels of techno stress in today’s world, there was one related study on information overload and two studies on controling it in the workplace.

Reuters Business Information Services conducted a study of 1300 managers throughout United States, England, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and found out that 33% reported ill-health as a result of information overload and 66% reported increased tension with work colleagues and diminished job satisfaction caused by information overload.

 I did find two studies by serious academics on finding ways to reduce it.

I guess this is some indication that the problem is real and may be reaching significant levelsl

Study One

Treating the techno-stressed : Results of using networked learning environments for distance education in library and information science

Auteur(s) / Author(s): REYNOLDS L. J.  ; SMITH A. E. ;

Author(s) Affiliation(s): Purdue University,

 Abstract

Techno-stress: frustration, confusion and fear caused by technology overload and not enough direction.

Results: leads to lethal information-seeking behaviors.

Symptoms: user expects the technology to understand the information needs. Often searches inappropriate online databases not realizing there are differences. May redefine information needs based on database results. Tends to settle for anything regardless of applicability.

Diagnosis: not terminal.

Non-traditional Remedy: using networked learning environments for distance education develops a safe-zone for teaching information strategies.

Study Two

 EMERGING IMPACTS OF ON-LINE OVER-CONNECTIVITY
Nada Korac-Kakabadse
Cranfield School of Management,
Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 OAL, United Kingdom

Nine aspects of increasing on-line over connectivity

1. TECHNO-STRESS

Research in a large high-tech company, in the US, found that 20 per cent of the Information Systems
Department employees showed signs of clinical depression. At Xerox Corp, for example, numerous IT
employees have taken disability leave because of depression

2. INFORMATION OVERLOAD

3. RESPONDING TO DEMANDS IN NEAR-REAL TIME

4. MULTI-TASKING

5. ENCROACHMENT OF WORK ON DISCRETIONARY TIME

6. LOSS OF PRIVACY

7. IT-EXTENDED WORKING HOURS

8. TELEWORKING AND THE WEB "CHAT ROOM": THE NEW "WATER
COOLER" OF THE VIRTUAL OFFICE

9. TELEWORKING AND THE WEB "CHAT ROOM": THE NEW "WATER
COOLER" OF THE VIRTUAL OFFICE

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