Word Overload?

Is there such thing? In this age of information sharing are we simply too exposed to the written word? I find myself unable to remember much as far as quoting goes; I'll remember how a passage made me feel or the general gist of it or where it lay on the page but in order to memorize any number of syllables I must use time and energy I generally put towards reading something new. Sure, some things stick around: a four line poem, a textfromlastnight, a bit of conversation, a note read years ago, a facebook status, a thought; but I feel I hold a lot more than what I can call to my conscious. A vast land of literature exists in my head, if only I could access it! Instead, I constantly build new horizons with every sentence. Should I be taking time to improve my recollective muscles, or is there a deadline, 451 style? I feel like words immortalize ideas, setting them in metaphorical stone. But that is an all-too-comforting thought; just too good to be true.

So many words! So little time.