Information obesity: critical theory

and information literacy

Andrew Whitworth
University of Manchester
March 2009

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 Too much information?
The current prevalence of information in our environment has
given rise to concern… expressed in terms of metaphors like:

Overload…
Smog…

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 A more positive view
…but what of abundance?

In principle this resource could be

available to all, each taking as much
as they need – but no more

How might we move to

such a position?

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 Information obesity: definition
Clearly there is a need to filter information in order to learn.
Information obesity can be considered a failure of filtering
strategies. It has various underlying and inter-related causes.

Increases in quantity
Lack of management
of informational resources
Lack of technolo-
gical awareness
Economic pressures
on us to consume
Increased dynamism, pace
of change

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 Information obesity: some
consequences?
• Information is not being embedded by
communities and individuals into their
own environments
• This is a failure to learn
• And results in a reduction in
sustainability - the ability to use a given
environment to continue to learn in the
future

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 Suggested remedies…
The commonest educational response to
the abundance of information is “ICT skills”
(aka computer literacy, etc.)

Typically this is skills- and routine-

based, therefore highly functional;
one is “trained” in the skills

More recently we see “Information

literacy” being promoted

This is more needs-based and

therefore, subjective

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 But…
Are we really free to identify our information needs and
make evaluations between all possibilities?

Organisations affect the way we think

Routines, designs – ways of thinking -

are reified into technologies and the
procedures (rules) within which we
work

Ultimately there is a contradiction

between our needs, and those of the
organisations of which we are a part

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 A critical approach
Critical approaches to social activity are oriented towards
transformation and reaffirm the value of community as a place
in which intersubjective ideas of value can be developed and applied.

EXAMPLE: Levine’s study of

physical obesity rates in Maryland

1) run by students themselves, gathering

information in their local community

2) showed interrelation between

structural, personal, and community
activity

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009
 Further information

• http://www.informationobesity.com

• A. Whitworth (2009), Information

Obesity, Chandos: Oxford, UK

• andrew.whitworth@manchester.ac.uk

• http://www.MAdigitaltechnologies.com
Information obesity LILAC, March
2009
 Thank you

Information obesity LILAC, March

2009