The biggest epidemic of our decade is the incredible explosion in the consumption of content which significantly reduces our attention spans, makes us feel constantly overwhelmed, limits creativity and independent thinking, and creates a state of consistent FOMO.

The worst part about it? It‘s entirely self-inflicted! On the other hand, I guess you could say that‘s the best part about it as well — it‘s a matter of individual choice and entirely within your control to reduce your exposure to it.

Yet what seems like an easy and straightforward step to regain control via selective detachment is made made incredibly difficult — with almost surgical precision based on cutting-edge research — by the underlying platforms whose business models depend on selling our attention.

It‘s gotten to a point where people deem it necessary to *pay* for services that block distracting apps and feeds — something that used to require just a little bit of willpower and self-control. On the bright side, that‘s the free market at play!

It‘s clearly a form of mental addiction whose long-term effects — particularly on our youngest that are virtually exposed to it since birth — are not yet fully understood.

[logging out of Twitter] /s