Monday Notes: Too Much Information in the Information Age

“Do you remember when your daddy used to make sun tea?” I recently asked my youngest daughter.

“I do,” she said. “But guess what? I read that sun tea is bad for you.”

“Huh?” I asked, skepticism brewing.

“Yeah. Something about the bacteria.”

She was right. Bacteria breed in warm water, and the sun is rarely hotter than 130 degrees, which is ten degrees short of how tea should be brewed. Thus, sun tea is not healthy.

While I like to be as healthy as possible, and I like to read and learn new information, in the 21st century, a deluge of daily facts is beginning to feel daunting.

For example, I recently watched seven parts of a nine-part documentary on health and longevity. One of the main points was about how important the microbiome is. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that our gut health is an integral part of our overall wellbeing. Guess what we should do if we’re concerned about our microbiomes?

Consider a probiotic.Consider a prebiotic.Find a bottle of enzymes.Eat only organic food.Exercise, but not 30 minutes a day for five days as the CDC has suggested, but rather, intermittently, all day long, as much as possible, because that’s what our ancestors did…you know, the ones who hunted and gathered.Make sure your food is non-GMO, which is no easy feat because in the States, those who grow non-GMO food are responsible for labeling their food, not farmers who harm us with genetically modified food.Get a colonoscopy, but don’t wait ‘til you’re 50. Nope. That’s old news. The recommended age is now 45.

So, yeah. That’s just one aspect of our physical health. What about mental health? I’m glad you asked.

Recently, I thought it was a great idea to learn more about autism, so I purchased a special edition verywell health magazine. My head swam by page four. Unlike other disorders, this one isn’t as simple to understand. Though there are five characteristics that a person must exhibit, there are other factors, such as if the person is female. An autistic female presents differently than a male one. Also, research has been focused on white males, so there are probably more autistic people in the world than we think.

But that’s not what got me. What stood out was an article about what to call people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a teacher educator, I have been taught and have taught others to use what’s called people-first language. In this case, that means saying: John is a boy with autism. Welp. That is not the case with ASD. Instead, people with this disorder prefer identity-first language. Meaning, you should say: John is an autistic boy.

Oh, and Asperger’s is no longer a diagnosis, partially because Asperger was a Nazi sympathizer who collaborated with a clinic that was known to have killed children with disabilities. Folks formerly diagnosed with Asperger’s are now considered on the ASD spectrum. However, some people who were previously diagnosed with Asperger’s prefer not to be labeled as autistic. They’re fine using Asperger’s to define who they are.

Geez-la-flipping-wheeze!

I’d like to reiterate that I don’t have a problem learning new information. Like Plato, I believe society should be educated if we want an informed citizenry. And in this century, it has never been easier or more important for everyone to be educated about something. Today’s challenge, however, is that there is not only too much information in the information age, but also too much access to “hot-off-the presses” info. What we knew yesterday is not what we’ll know tomorrow.

So, what should we do?

It seems imperative that we not only learn ways to consume information in critical ways, but also that we figure out how to be lifelong learners. Information is constantly changing. It always has and will continue to do so. But now, more than ever, the onus is on the public as opposed to purveyors of information. Now, it’s up to us to determine how and if we will use information in our lives.

Monday Notes: Too Much Information in the Information AgeMonday Notes: My Entry into the Adoption CommunityIn Search of a Salve: Lori L. Tharps’ ReviewMental Health Matters: Curated Resources for Mental Health Awareness MonthMonday Notes: When I Was a Child, I Spake as a Child