Overloading

 

                                             (image: youtube.com)

Di na makaisip nan malayom.

Oxford University Press of the Oxford Dictionary announced the Word of the Year for 2024 is ‘brain rot’. This was released after a public vote. The term's usage increased by 230% between 2023 and 2024.

"Brain rot" is a term that refers to the supposed decline of a person's mental or intellectual state, often due to consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content. It can also refer to content that is likely to cause such deterioration.

The constant engagement with digital devices and social media amplifies this issue, leading to reduced attention spans and difficulty processing complex information (Carr, 2020). Moreover, researchers suggest that the quality of consumed information plays a significant role, as exposure to irrelevant or conflicting data can heighten stress and hinder decision-making (Bawden & Robinson, 2009).

People consume excessive amounts of insignificant information on social media for several reasons. Social media platforms are designed with algorithms that prioritize engagement, often promoting sensational or attention-grabbing content over substantive information.

This fosters a cycle of mindless scrolling, known as "doomscrolling," where users consume vast amounts of trivial or emotionally charged content.

Additionally, the dopamine-driven feedback loops created by likes, comments, and shares encourage users to stay engaged with the platform, often at the expense of discerning the quality of information (Montag et al., 2021).

Social and psychological factors, such as the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the desire for social validation, also play a significant role in driving the consumption of inconsequential content. These behaviors are further triggered by the lack of media literacy, which makes it challenging for users to differentiate between meaningful and insignificant information.

This is why financially-challenged individuals often feel compelled to acquire cakes for birthdays and extravagant bouquets for special occasions, perceiving these items as essential symbols of celebration and social validation. They internalized the information, perceiving it as both “normal” and indispensable.

Individuals may experience a decline in cognitive functioning, including impaired memory, reduced attention span, and difficulty processing complex information. This state often arises from excessive exposure to trivial or overwhelming amounts of information, particularly through digital media, which overstimulates the brain while offering little opportunity for critical reflection.

Then, brain rot occurs.

To combat this, it is essential to limit screen time, prioritize consuming meaningful and credible information, and take regular breaks from digital devices. Engaging in offline activities like reading, exercising, or learning new skills can help restore cognitive health.

Additionally, fostering real-life connections provides balance and perspective, contributing to overall mental clarity and resilience against information overload (Carr, 2020; Bawden & Robinson, 2009).

Succumbing to the addictive psychological manipulation of algorithms inevitably leads to a decline in cognitive function.