So what are the causes of info-plague and who suffers from it

More information has been produced in the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000. One copy of the New York Times has more information in it than the average 17th century person would have come across in an entire lifetime. About 1,000 books are published internationally every day and the total of all printed knowledge doubles every five years. Its not surprising that taking all this in has the potential to scramble your brain. But not all information is equal.

Most managers said that internal communications by email, the use of databases and increased information flowing around their company and to and from customers and suppliers was the source of overload. But more than half said the situation was likely to get worse and 48% predicted the Internet would be a prime source of information overload within two years.

Not everyone is likely to suffer. Conscientious, hard-working and perfectionist employees are most likely to suffer from the syndrome, according to Lewis, because they care intensely about what they are doing. Information you don't care about is unlikely to give you information overload because you wont struggle to take it in. Therefore, passing the time surfing the net or watching daytime TV are comparatively safe.