“In an information-rich world, the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients.” – Herbert A. Simon
In 1971, American economist and psychologist Herbert A. Simon presciently described the paradox of the information age. Today, his words ring truer than ever as we navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
The Information Deluge
Every day – and it is no longer news to say this – we are increasingly inundated with information:
Remote controls offer hundreds of channels at our fingertips
Google searches yield millions of results in milliseconds
Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook deliver a never-ending stream of updates
E-newspapers and news apps push breaking stories 24/7
Messaging apps like WhatsApp connect us to global conversations instantly
Visual platforms like Instagram bombard us with a constant flow of images and videos
This myriad of information circulates at dizzying speeds, empowered by the internet’s vast reach and instantaneous nature.
The Information Economy
In this new economy, as Simon noted, we are all buyers and sellers of information. But this transaction comes at a cost: our attention. Simon astutely observed:
“Attention is the psychological tool we use to discard irrelevant information so that we can focus on what is important to us. As the information available keeps growing in exponential proportions, our attention becomes increasingly strained and challenged.”
This insight, published in “Designing Organizations for an Information-Rich World” (1971), has only grown more relevant with time.
The Consequences of Information Overload
Attention Scarcity: As information abundance increases, our attention becomes an increasingly scarce and valuable resource.
Cognitive Overload: Our brains, overwhelmed by stimuli, struggle to process and retain meaningful information.
Decision Paralysis: The paradox of choice leaves us unable to discern signal from noise, leading to decision fatigue.
Superficial Engagement: We skim rather than deep dive, sacrificing depth for breadth in our quest to keep up.
Digital Addiction: The fear of missing out (FOMO) keeps us constantly tethered to our devices, straining our relationships and mental health.
Reclaiming Our Attention
As Simon suggested, we must apply discipline to manage our attention effectively:
Curate Information Sources: Be selective about the information you consume and the platforms you engage with.
Practice Digital Mindfulness: Set boundaries for device usage and create tech-free zones or times in your day.
Develop Critical Thinking: Train yourself to evaluate information critically, focusing on quality over quantity.
Prioritize Deep Work: Allocate time for focused, uninterrupted work on important tasks.
Nurture Relationships: Recognize that giving your undivided attention to others is a powerful way to strengthen connections.
Conclusion
In an age where information is abundant, our attention has become our most precious asset. By understanding the dynamics of the attention economy, as Simon foresaw decades ago, we can take steps to reclaim our focus and use it as a tool for meaningful engagement with the world around us.
As we move forward in this information-rich world, let us heed Simon’s warning and strive to manage our attention with increased care. Only then can we hope to navigate the digital landscape without having our attention – and our relationships – hijacked by the force of bad habits.
Egidio Vaz | Comms Strategist 