Information Anxiety 2

by Richard Saul Wurman, Loring Leifer, David Sume

A decade after publication of what has become a cult guidebook to understanding the information age, this expanded and updated edition gives clarity to confusion with new maps for navigating through a stream of data that leaves us starved for the tools and patterns that give data meaning. Discussion touches on aesthetic considerations versus making information understandable, the pervasiveness of advertising, bartering and conversation, and communication in the work environment, with humorous asides and b&w cartoons. Wurman is a publisher and a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Psychology, Technology, Business, Science, Art Design

308 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2000

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly theoretical, but quite interesting in terms of people's emotions regarding the need for knowledge. Chapter 3, detailing which management styles pair well with different learning styles was of particular interest.

Favorite Quotes:

Information is not enough. Organization is as important as content. Your market is your world. If you can't integrate, you can't operate. Size really doesn't count. It's not the what, but the how.

When you can admit that you don't know, you are more likely to ask the questions that will enable you to learn.

One of the best ways of communicating knowledge is through stories, because good stories are richly textured with details, allowing the narrative to convey a stable ground on which to build experience.

I believe that it's important to view the interface as an opportunity to seduce people...

Familiarity breeds confusion. Those suffering from the disease of familiarity are the experts in the world who, so bogged down by their own knowledge, regularly miss the key points as they try to explain what they know.

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Ben Franklin

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that "a weekday edition of THE NEW YORK TIMES contains more info. than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime in 17th cent. England?" This is true.

This book challenges you to make sense of the information
overloading your life, including info in the form of news, magazines, TV, etc.

[Mjaballah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good attempt to follow a truly great book. However, not as groundbreaking as its predecessor. I read both books over a long period. One chapter at a time, I recommend reading them in this manner. I took so many notes down, that I ended up deciding to buy the book. Unfortunately, its pretty impossible to find a copy of this book here in New Zealand.

[Daniel]

...examines how the Internet, desktop computing, and advances in digital technology have not simply enhanced access to information, but in fact have changed the way we live and work. In examining the sources of information anxiety, Wurman takes an...

[Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. This man is a genius.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a library science class, but it's really intended more for people in the work force. Even though the content is rather dated, ten years later, Wurman's ideas are still quite sound.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Everyone having trouble with learning and understanding information ought to read it! <3