Designer Information - Why Visualization and Analytics Technologies Should Help Us Focus Our Minds and Not Our Senses

The current metaphors used to justify visualization research involve the specters of massive information flows and analyst overload and such demands as "connecting the dots" and searching for "nuggets". Knowledge discovery becomes the challenge, and presenting the greatest amount of information to the bewildered user, or viewer in this case, the goal. Throughout history, however, visual metaphors have first and foremost helped humans organize and digest information. Irrelevant information or conceptions have been ignored or discarded. Customized or tailored interpretations have been put forward. What do I need to know? has been more crucial than What do I need to see? Designer information, just like "designer drugs" or designer "genes", is the watchword for visualization and analytics in this 21st Century. And one of its most rigorous applications is homeland security