infobesity

This is sometimes given as a synonym for information overload but there is a difference in perspective. Information overload is looking at the amount of information coming in, too much for anyone to be able to handle.  Infobesity is looking at the excessive consumption of information by an individual.  We take in more and more information until we are about to burst.

 Infobesity is not a new term – it dates back to at least 2013 – but it has a particular relevance in the time of COVID. Some people cannot restrain themselves from consuming every little piece of news on the subject. Others attempt to go on an info-diet and swear off the news media entirely in the hope of decreasing their level of anxiety.