Person overwhelmed by information at a crossroads.

Information Overload? How 'Coarse Information Design' Can Help You Make Smarter Choices

Jordan Keane in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how the economic theory of coarse information design can simplify decision-making in a complex world, from choosing products to understanding energy ratings."

In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with information. From online reviews to expert opinions, the sheer volume of data can be overwhelming, making it difficult to make informed decisions. Whether it's choosing the right product, understanding complex policies, or simply navigating daily life, we often find ourselves struggling to process the endless stream of information.

But what if there was a way to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters? What if we could design information systems that simplify choices and empower us to make smarter decisions? This is where the concept of 'coarse information design' comes in. Rooted in economic theory, this approach offers a framework for strategically limiting information to improve decision-making.

Coarse information design recognizes that our cognitive abilities are limited. By intentionally reducing the complexity of available data, we can overcome information overload and make choices that better align with our goals. This article explores the principles of coarse information design and how they can be applied to various aspects of our lives, from personal choices to broader societal challenges.

What is Coarse Information Design?

Person overwhelmed by information at a crossroads.

At its core, coarse information design is about finding the optimal balance between providing enough information for informed decision-making and avoiding excessive detail that can lead to confusion and paralysis. It acknowledges that more information isn't always better and that simplifying data can actually improve the quality of our choices.

Imagine trying to choose a restaurant based on hundreds of online reviews. Sifting through countless opinions, dealing with conflicting information, and assessing the credibility of sources can be exhausting. Coarse information design suggests a different approach. Instead of overwhelming users with endless reviews, platforms could provide a simplified rating system – perhaps a star-based system or a limited number of categories – to convey the overall sentiment in an easily digestible format.

Dual Expectations Property: Focuses on using conditional means and curvature of value functions to guide information partitioning.
Interval-Partitional Structures: Divides information into distinct segments to simplify interpretation.
Strategic Scrutiny: Prioritizes detailed information for the most critical parts of a decision.

This economic framework helps in understanding how to optimally design these simplified information structures, which includes deciding how detailed information should be, and to understand the trade-offs between providing detailed vs simplified information for various decision-making situations.

Making Smarter Choices in a Complex World

Coarse information design offers a valuable framework for navigating the complexities of modern life. By strategically limiting information and focusing on what truly matters, we can overcome information overload, make smarter decisions, and ultimately improve our overall well-being. From personal choices to policy design, the principles of coarse information design can help us create a more informed and empowered society.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2305.1802,

Title: Coarse Information Design

Subject: econ.th

Authors: Qianjun Lyu, Wing Suen, Yimeng Zhang

Published: 29-05-2023

Everything You Need To Know

What is coarse information design?

Coarse information design is an economic strategy that simplifies choices by strategically limiting data to improve decision-making. It acknowledges that our cognitive abilities are limited and that more information isn't always better. The goal is to find the optimal balance between providing enough information for informed decision-making and avoiding excessive detail that can lead to confusion and paralysis.

How does coarse information design help with information overload?

Coarse information design helps combat information overload by intentionally reducing the complexity of available data. By simplifying information structures, this approach allows individuals to overcome the challenges of sifting through excessive details, conflicting opinions, and credibility issues. It focuses on delivering information in a digestible format, enabling people to make smarter choices more efficiently and effectively.

What are the key components or structures within coarse information design?

Coarse information design utilizes several key components. The 'Dual Expectations Property' uses conditional means and value function curvature to guide information partitioning. 'Interval-Partitional Structures' divide information into distinct segments for easier interpretation. 'Strategic Scrutiny' prioritizes detailed information for the most critical parts of a decision-making process, focusing efforts where they are most needed.

How can coarse information design be applied to real-world scenarios like choosing a restaurant?

In real-world scenarios, such as choosing a restaurant, coarse information design suggests simplifying the decision-making process. Instead of overwhelming users with endless online reviews, platforms could provide a simplified rating system, like a star-based system or a limited number of categories. This approach distills complex data into an easily digestible format, reducing decision fatigue and helping users quickly grasp the overall sentiment and make informed choices.

Besides product selection, where else can coarse information design be implemented to improve decision-making?

Beyond personal choices, coarse information design can be applied to broader societal challenges and policy design. It can be used in understanding complex policies or navigating daily life. By strategically limiting information and focusing on what truly matters, this framework can help create a more informed and empowered society. It offers a valuable framework for navigating the complexities of modern life by simplifying decision-making processes in various sectors.