My Solution to Information Overload
A few days ago, I was listening to syndicated radio talk show host and IT professional Kim Komando talk about algorithms and the importance of discoverability. Naturally, I paid attention because as we creatives know, algorithms and key words are our products’ lifeblood.
Not only is Ms. Komando syndicated nationally, she has a Youtube channel, and puts out an IT newsletter daily. During the episode, she asked listeners to push the subscribe button, and if they were so inclined, to leave a review, which will help boost her program among the myriad algorithm competitors.
Her comments got me thinking so I did some research. From what I learned not only is Ms. Komando extremely busy, the world’s algorithms must be exhausted!
Full disclosure: I googled the following:
Podcasts: 3,526,320
Blogs: 600 million
Newspapers: There are 6,000 newspapers worldwide that service diverse communities and cater to various interests.
AI Companies: 70,000 (25% or 17,500 based in the United States.) The top being: Open AI, Anthropic, and Hugging Face. (Have I been under a rock? I’ve never heard of Hugging Face.)
Streaming Services (US only)
Roku
Netflix
Hulu
Amazon Prime
Paramount
HBO Max
Apple
Youtube/Youtube TV
Social Media
Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads
X formerly Twitter
Bluesky
TikTok
Booktok
Browser/Platforms:
Microsoft
Apple
Mozilla FireFox
Remember the days when we could turn to TV Guide, which gravitated to a full-page newspaper guide when cable outlets took over? This is by no means audited for preciseness; I doubt that I got them all. By now you may wonder where I’m going with all this data. Straight for a cup of coffee and then to my Kindle. I’ve discovered that books and reading are a sure cure for Information Overload. How are you keeping up these days with entertainment/communication/technology modes?
Donnell, I found myself suffering from information overload just from reading through your lists! 😵💫
It’s inundating to stay the least, Lois! I’m wondering how these companies remain profitable, if at all! This is a classic example of dog eat dog in my opinion.
Thanks for the data, which confirms what we experience every day. I sometimes catch myself wanting to google some random question or spreading my fingers to enlarge something, and I realize how immersed we are in the technology age, like it or not. And you’re right, reading a book is a great way to clear the mind of blips and beeps.
Saralyn, one of the books I have coming up shortly is Port of Destiny! Sounds so intriguing.
This is mind-boggling. It makes me want to take a shot of tequila, but it’s only 2:30, and my to-do list is screaming at me.
Wait, you get tequila and I said coffee. Is it too late to switch? Sadly, I think I’m off by a gross margin of error on my estimates. 🙁
Yup! Your stats speak for themselves. The question is what we do or can do or for that matter, want to do with them.
Debra, I’m thinking many of these companies will self-destruct for lack of a better term. Still, as authors who write books and aren’t marketing pros as demonstrated by Kim Komando and others, discoverability is going to be hard. Let’s keep going with word of mouth on our books!!!
Reading is a great antidote for me.
Absolutely, Gay, me too.
Late to this party — googling got in my way LOL. And streaming services — here in Canada we have all of those plus Crave, which has a lot of original content (Like the recent smash Heated Rivalry)…and yet I am often reminded of the old Springsteen song “57 channels and nothing on.” I love going to our camp on Superior. Internet is patchy and pricey so we either watch old DVDs or read. Priceless!