Because the information doesn’t come to us with directions about how to use it. Here’s how much information is coming at us: From the lips of Star Trek robot Data, trying to teach his cat not to jump up on things, we learn how that'll all work out:

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [reminiscing about the past] Those times were really special... I wish we were back there now, you and I.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The unidirectional nature of the time continuum makes that an unlikely possibility.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [nonplussed, then laughs] That's what I love about you, Data. You make me laugh.

: Denyse O’Leary is a Canadian journalist, author, and blogger.