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The changing pace of technology into real time communications means we could be killing ourselves slowly, but is this behaviour healthy? If you remember a day where no mobile phone would ring in your pocket, or the latest news would be published at the break of dawn, then you will certainly be able to appreciate the effect of real time communications in today’s world.

We’re in the midst of a content revolution that is amazing – the whole concept of news has been adapted and the power and speed of that news has changed. The current expectation is that news is delivered in real time for real time communications. After 24 hours, it’s old news.

Communications are noisy

With social at the fore and real time communications like updates and tweets vying for attention, it seems we are living in a world full of noise. If only minds could filter the relevant information and channel out the unimportant so easily.

As we crave  real time information, we suffer the effects of over-stimulation which could affect our health.

Real time communications can be powerful

On the flip-side, being privy to so much information can be powerful. It expands the mind and works to be not so dissimilar to studying a course.

This knowledge could save us – how many of you check the progress of a hurricane or view twitter updates of a recent storm? Twitter has been praised as the best way to follow natural disasters when tweets display real-time reports. It means followers can track hurricane paths.

FOMO leads to real-time communication dependency

Unfortunately, everything that has a strong positive, also carries a strong negative. Real-time communication activity can cause us to obsessively check updates and become unable to switch off from the online world and absorb the one beyond the screen.

To be so dependent is harmful. Suffering from FOMO (fear of missing out) is harmful. In truth,do we need to know everything?

Digitally connected

We are more digitally connected that ever before. The Futurama episode (eye phone) while extreme, does highlight how connected we can be. Imagine a phone that is connected physically to your brain and the effect of the constant attachment to real time communications.

Cool ? Yes. Dangerous ? Hell yes!

A possibility…..definitely maybe.

Too many online updates can lead to stress

It’s an ugly word and scares the life out of most, but stress is a prominent reality. It does not only apply to a move of home, difficult boss or new baby. Being obsessed with real-time communications can actually cause undue stress.

Tips to filter out irrelevant real time communications

• Think about what you’re reading and how much is really important.
• Limit your time online so that you have focused slots.
• Copy any good news sources into a notepad file or word document and read later on if you have a deadline.
• Time between slots is not a prison sentence; it’s a way to fully absorb what you have read.
• Sign up to RSS feeds and have updates from popular sites mailed to you.

Are you obsessed with real time communications?

Are you fed up with the constant noise? What are your tips for dealing with information overload?

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