Brilliantly boring

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text (2 points: 1 point each)

a. Why does so much information generate anxiety?

In an information-saturated society, writes sociologist Orrin Klapp, we suffer anxiety, since the slow horse of our comprehension is unable to keep up with the fast horse of the information that we can access.

b. Why may boring websites be so popular?

It would be nice to believe that boring websites are popular because they are a rebellion against too much information overload - a space for our slow horses to live.

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer by copying the exact passage on the answer sheet (1.5 point: 0.5 each)

a. Only the websites that contain fascinating information achieve cult status.

(F) [what are the sites that consistently achieve cult status, from the birth of the web up to the present day? The most boring ones.]

b. Boredom is the main reason why people visit boring websites.

(T) [boredom seems to be the very point of a boring website]

c. People watch Big Brother on the Internet only if they really want to.

(F) [the fact that you just spent 10 minutes watching the Big Brother website does not automatically mean that you really wanted to]

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

a. incapable (unable)
b. imply (mean)
c. excess (overload)
d. obtain (achieve)

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. We are anxious today because... a) we cannot process all the information that is available.
2. Web-surfing is addictive because... b) users are attracted by its power of distraction.
3. After watching Big Brother on TV... b) you regret wasting your time.