Scientific research over the last 10 years on how engagement networks affect our overall well-being is now conclusive — and while the results are concerning, they present an opportunity for positive change. This article explores the idea of redesigning engagement networks to optimize our mindset, making us more mindful of our well-being and less mindless in our consumption.
(more…)Tag: attention economy
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The Illusion of Social Media: Reclaiming Attention in the Age of Distraction
The Descent into Comparison
It starts like a game. A blank page, a dream of creating, but then the wall of resistance arrives. Fear and overthinking drown out inspiration. Seeking relief, he turns to Twitter.
What he finds is not encouragement but intimidation. Algorithms showcase the most popular creators, with millions of followers and polished content. Comparison bias does the rest. Instead of inspiration, insecurity grows. He switches to TikTok, where brief sparks of pleasure turn into overstimulation and depletion. The spiral ends in avoidance, not creation.
Game over. Pleasure fades. Pain wins.
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The Illusion of Algorithms: Reclaiming Control from Invisible Systems
When Algorithms Shape Our Reality
Anxiety leaves its imprint not only in the body but also in how we experience the digital world. For many, offline triggers push them online in search of belonging. But instead of connection, they meet a system designed for engagement, not care.
At first, algorithms know nothing. In the “cold start,” content is random and irrelevant. Soon, patterns emerge—dopamine-rich posts, flawless selfies, manufactured lifestyles without disclaimers. The algorithm learns quickly: novelty, outrage, comparison. Each interaction shapes what comes next.
What it does not understand is pain. Every dopamine high is followed by depletion. Each comparison deepens loneliness. Over time, the same algorithm that promised connection leaves users more anxious, more isolated, and more fragile. This is not malfunction—it is design.
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