Nonattention to Detail

Once again we find empirical evidence of the Information Science evil. In a recent study (touted by Microsoft, no less) we learn that the average human attention span is decreasing as more of our brethren and sisteren become obsessed with their electronic toys. In a pathetic attempt to put a optimistic spin on this appalling news, Time magazine has summarized “On the positive side, the report says our ability to multitask has drastically improved in the mobile age.” Oh yes, we are all very comforted by knowing the average teenage driver can careen their vehicle down the interstate while simultaneously looking at pictures of Justin Bieber on their “smart” phones.

One would hope that libraries might take proactive steps to stem this rising tide of stupidity, but the Information Scientists who rule over our former storehouses of knowledge continue to pander to the lowest common denominator. By reducing all inquiries to filling in a Google-ish blank box on a computer monitor, the Biblioposers are encouraging the flabby intellects of the next generation to simply allow a machine to do their thinking. The advantages of this type of research for the "right now" generation is that it requires LESS than the eight second limit for them to remember what they were looking for in the first place.

At True Archives we say “Bah, Humbug!” to these efforts, but we look around at the slackjawed masses unable to tear themselves away from their handheld computers and know the battle has already been lost in the library. It is high time we rescued the remaining books from the aquarium of goldfish people and place them in the archive where they belong!