In the late 1990’s, there was a highly successful capital trading firm known as Long Term Capital Management or LTCM.  LTCM boasted an impressive array of economists and thinkers, even having Nobel Laurates on its staff.  As a result, they’d come up with a trading strategy that was very impressive, making substantial returns for its’ investors.  They initially dealt specifically with slight price adjustments in the bond market and exploiting those for massive gains.  Soon, their innovative approach brought them scores of investors, ready to make large gains as well.  But here’s where things went downhill.  They decided that their strategy, which was working very well in the bond realm, would work in other capital markets.  So, they expanded radically into these new areas, hiring people and experts to help them manage those new markets as well as they’d done with the bond market.  But, as a result, they ended up trying to drink from a water hose, in a matter of speaking.  They went into information overload.  Long story short, they became plagued with the problems that typically arise from too-much info and failed in a stunningly short period of time.  From market heroes to market zeros in a short period of time.

I begin this way because as I look out and see, heck, as I live my own life, I see in myself and many others this ongoing slide, further and further into our screens.  I can’t help but humorously recall a security video that made the rounds a decade or so ago.  In in is pictured a lovely mall’s indoor fountain, you know the kind where, as kids, you’d beg your Mom to give you a penny to throw in to make a wish?  Well, the image on the screen shows that but soon into view comes a woman.  She’s wearing glasses but, even from a distance, you can see that she’s watching her phone.  But the thing is, she’s walking on direct, dead-end path with the fountain.  So, you keep watching, hoping that the woman will become aware of her surroundings and adjust accordingly.  But…SHE DOESN’T and into the water she plunges.  It’s a good recovery though given the size of the gaffe, she brushes it off pretty well, you’ll have to Google it to see what I’m talking about.

I think we all have seen something similar, if not quite so dramatic.  I know I’ve seen drivers I’ve thought were drunk, straighten out and drive well, letting me know that they were probably just texting while trying to drive, never a good idea as we all know.  And while this danger of the age of information is pretty well-known, there are others that come from our addiction to knowing and doing more.

In the modern age, where data streams are relentless and ever-expanding, the phenomenon of information overload has become increasingly prevalent.  This saturation of data, especially in the digital realm, poses several psychological dangers that can profoundly impact an individual's well-being and cognitive functioning.

One of the most immediate effects of information overload is the marked increase in stress and anxiety levels.  The ceaseless barrage of information, especially when it's of a conflicting or negative nature, can be mentally taxing.  For instance, the 24/7 news cycles, replete with distressing headlines, can invoke a sense of perpetual crisis, heightening anxiety in consumers.  This heightened stress is not just a fleeting feeling; it can have long-term psychological implications, potentially leading to chronic anxiety disorders.

The sheer volume of available information can also lead to decision paralysis.  Faced with a plethora of options and data points, individuals may feel overwhelmed, hindering their ability to make timely and effective decisions.  The fear of making the wrong choice, when bombarded with too many options, can result in a complete halt, a paralysis, where individuals find themselves unable to decide at all.

Memory functions, too, bear the brunt of this overflow.  Constant inundation with data can lead to reduced memory and recall capabilities.  As individuals try to assimilate vast amounts of information, the brain's capacity to retain specific details gets compromised, adversely affecting both learning and productivity.  Moreover, the brain, when overwhelmed, tends to lose its creative edge.  A mind constantly engaged in processing incoming information has little room for daydreaming, reflecting, or thinking outside the box.  Moments of quiet, devoid of information consumption, are essential crucibles for creative and innovative thought.

  Another concerning fallout of information overload is the fragmentation of attention, resulting in lowered concentration and focus.  The digital age's distractions, from smartphone notifications to email alerts, can scatter attention, making deep focus on singular tasks increasingly elusive.  This constant state of divided attention can, over time, erode the ability to engage in deep work or sustained concentration.  Further, the ceaseless demand for cognitive processing leads to mental fatigue, clouding judgment and impairing rational decision-making.  This cognitive exhaustion not only hampers productivity but also affects personal well-being.  Add to this the emotional toll.  The inundation with emotionally charged news or updates can strain emotional regulation, leading to mood imbalances or heightened emotional reactivity.