What to do when there’s too much information, and you don’t know who to trust

Information overload is causing a credibility crisis. True, it’s never been easier to access the right answers to our questions. But at the same time, that answer is harder to find. There are so many experts, politicians, celebrities, and influencers who are entering their opinions into the chat, and separating good information from bad now feels like finding a needle in a haystack. As a reformed social media addict and qualified business psychology professional, I know this challenge from the inside out. I spent 15 years manufacturing influence to sell products to unsuspecting users online, while succumbing to the very campaigns I helped architect. Ironic karma. As internet culture has given everyone a platform, it’s become infinitely harder to know who to believe—and why. The internet has become a hotbed for monetizing almost anything. And many use that overwhelm to lure people to buy something. The volume and velocity of information Most adults spend upwards of two hours a day on their mobile devices, much of it scrolling social media. Add in news checks and newsletters, and you’re absorbing four hours or more of information every day. Two decades ago, news arrived in finite ba…