"In our age of AI and virtual reality, the artificial is fast becoming central to our experience. Algorithms are driving this new reality. It makes sense to think of this period of human history as different from the "modern" and "postmodern" periods that have come before. It is what I have referred to as the " algomodern" age. A key feature of this reality is that daily life is becoming ever more complex, and one of the most pressing problems we face is information overload."
"The Internet Data Center estimates that the size of the global datasphere is 163 zettabytes, or 1 trillion gigabytes. Its size is growing rapidly-it is now 10 times as big as it was in 2016, when it was 16.1 ZB. Information overload occurs when we are in an overburdened state in which we feel overwhelmed because our capacities for information processing do not meet the information processing requirements (Graf & Antoni, 2021)."
The algomodern age, driven by AI, virtual reality, and pervasive algorithms, has accelerated information generation and daily-life complexity. The global datasphere has grown to roughly 163 zettabytes, expanding about tenfold since 2016, intensifying cognitive demands. Information overload results when information-processing requirements exceed individual processing capacities, producing overwhelm and strain on mental health. Historical parallels with mid-19th-century industrial modernity led to advocacy for simplicity and immersion in nature as restorative practices. Time spent in nature yields benefits only when individuals feel connected to the surrounding natural world. Minimalism and meaningful nature connection can mitigate cognitive burden and support well-being.
Read at Psychology Today
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