Introduction, The Hook: A Familiar Scroll#

Shortcuts in Our Minds (a.k.a. Heuristics)#

The human brain loves saving energy. So it builds shortcuts—called heuristics—to avoid thinking from scratch every time.

Here are a few classics:

• Availability bias — If something comes to mind easily (like a viral video), we think it’s more common or true.
• Confirmation bias — We favor info that fits what we already believe.
• Anchoring — The first number or headline we see becomes our “mental baseline.”

These shortcuts are fast. Sometimes even helpful.
But pair them with a flood of notifications, headlines, and content…
Now we have a problem: overstimulated brains making undercooked conclusions.

The Digital Brain Drain#

Let’s face it:
We process more information before lunch than our grandparents saw in a week.

And that leads to:

• Cognitive fatigue — Our brains conserve effort by accepting the first “good enough” answer.
• Decision overload — So many options, so we let the feed or algorithm decide.
• Reaction loops — Anger emoji > share > quote tweet > forget > scroll again.

The end result? Less curiosity. More certainty.
Less asking “What do I think?” and more “What do people like me say?”

A 10-Minute Cognitive Audit#

Try this quick personal challenge:

🧠 Think of 3 strong opinions you’ve shared online recently.

For each one, ask:

1. Where did I first hear this?
2. Did I verify it—or just nod along?
3. What would the opposing viewpoint say?

Reflection, not judgment.
You may realize some opinions weren’t chosen—they were absorbed.

Are We Outsourcing Thought?#

Spotify curates your vibe.
Netflix predicts your night.
Google finishes your sentence.
Instagram knows what color palette you’ll like next.

Little by little, we’re letting algorithms think for us—by telling us what to see, click, buy, and care about.

They’re optimized for clicks, not clarity.

So… Are We Still Thinking?#

Yes. But we’re running on autopilot more often than we realize.
And like any habit, it becomes comfortable.

What if we:

• Delayed reactions by 15 seconds?
• Asked, “Who profits if I believe this?”
• Paused before reposting outrage or retweeting certainty?

Maybe thinking is the new rebellion.

Further Reading & Curated Resources#

📘 Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
A modern classic on System 1 (fast thinking) and System 2 (slow, deliberate thinking).

🎧 Your Undivided Attention (Podcast) – Center for Humane Technology
Insightful episodes on how tech shapes our cognition and democracy.

“Overthinking is tiring.
Underthinking is dangerous.
Balance? That’s wisdom.”

Stay awake out there 🧠✨