Final answer:
Information overload is the state of having an excess of available information which can cause difficulty in decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
Information overload refers to the phenomenon where there is an excess of information available to a person or group, which can lead to difficulty in processing and making decisions. In today's Information Age, the vast availability of data and the prevalence of technology have inadvertently contributed to this issue. For example, modern farmers have access to a plethora of data sources ranging from global positioning systems to complex weather monitoring services. Unlike the 1970s, when the Farmer's Almanac and the Weather Bureau were the main sources for agricultural planning, today's farmers must sift through extensive data to make informed decisions about planting and harvesting.
The rapid flow of information in our daily lives forces us to make numerous decisions, even though we often operate with imperfect information. Economists suggest that the information we use to make choices is imperfect because we seldom have all the necessary data to make flawless decisions. Despite this, we continuously make choices, whether it's selecting a breakfast option, a streaming show, or deciding on complex educational paths like a double major.
However, sociologists like Lagerfeld and Merton have indicated that this overwhelming media exposure can lead to narcotizing dysfunction, a state in which people are so overwhelmed with media input that they become more passive recipients of information rather than active participants in societal issues.