"it is a fact that excessive data do not enlighten the reader or the listener; they drown him. He cannot remember them all, or coordinate them, or understand them; if he does not want to risk losing his mind, he will merely draw a general picture from them. And the more facts supplied, the more simplistic the image" Jacque Ellul
E. Hmmm . . . Generally true but may depend on the person . . .
D. In the information age, mankind is lost in a sea of data, voices and opinions. Our brain is wired to find patterns in data and to create a narrative, a story, an explanation. We create a network of cause and effect that makes sense of the world. Our limited minds do not have the ability to create a network large and complex enough to take into account the vast amount of data we are bombarded with. Once we create a simple narrative we tend to reject data that does not fit that narrative. Or we reinterpret the data. (Sorry for the rant but I got started on a train of thought and I am using you for a sounding board for my most current attempt to simplify all the data that I am confronted with.🙃)
E. Yes- this is all true
No prob on the "rant" (Didn't seem like a rant.)
D. The object is to create/discover a narrative that:
1. Has a relationship with truth such that, if we assume our narrative to be true and use it to guide our actions, our actions will usually be appropriate for the actual state of reality.
2. We have enough belief in our narrative that we have feel confident and do not suffer anxiety. In other words we think we know enough that we do not need to fear the unknown. In other words, we think we are in charge and masters of our own destiny. Or if you are a Christian, your narrative includes a strong belief that God is in charge and is good. You trust Him to help you to act appropriately and do not fear the unknown.
OTOH, Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He sweated blood in Gethsemene. Why should I expect better than this? Thus continued anxiety and fear.
This is, however, a little beside the point regarding the current information overload. It is true that it "depends on the person". Some people are better able to manage the data than others. Our current situation overloads the average person and like Daddy said, half the people are below average.
E. Yes to all you have said! (Well said.)
This came strongly to my attention recently- (Actually as I was praying for people who experienced great loss in the hurricane!)
"In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek." Heb 5:7-10
D. Are we having fun yet? I am getting a brain cramp.
E. LOL