We’re the dumbest smart species that ever existed.
Research shows our attention span has dropped to a mere 8.25 seconds, shorter than a goldfish. A goldfish. Think about that for a second — if you can still focus for that long.
We’ve got the most sophisticated neural network nature has ever produced, yet we’re using it to scroll mindlessly through cat videos and argue with strangers online. It’s like having a supercomputer and using it as a paperweight.
Let’s talk about how we’re failing ourselves:
Remember when we used to read books? Now we struggle to finish a tweet without getting distracted. When’s the last time you read something longer than a headline before sharing it? When’s the last time you fact-checked anything?
Our relationships? We swipe right or left based on carefully curated photos, then wonder why we can’t form deep connections. We ghost people instead of having difficult conversations. We’d rather send a heart emoji than actually tell someone how we feel.
Look at how we communicate. We’ve devolved from crafting eloquent letters and engaging in meaningful discourse to sending emoji-laden texts and speaking in abbreviated phrases that would make Shakespeare weep. “IDK, TBH, LOL” — we’re reducing the richness of human language to the linguistic equivalent of baby food.
And then there’s our civic responsibility. In presidential primaries — you know, where we actually choose who ends up on the final ballot — turnout hovers between just 18% and 29% of eligible voters. We skip the tryouts and then complain about who made the team. We march in the streets protesting choices we didn’t bother to prevent when we had the chance.
We’re becoming intellectual toddlers in adult bodies. We throw digital tantrums when someone disagrees with us. We demand instant gratification in everything from our food delivery to our entertainment. We’ve traded wisdom for convenience, depth for speed, understanding for opinion.
But here’s the thing: We can do better. We must do better. Our ancestors didn’t evolve through millions of years, developing this remarkable brain, for us to use it as a TikTok consumption device.
Want to evolve? Here’s how:
Treat your brain like the miracle it is. Read long-form content. Engage with ideas that challenge you. Sit with discomfort instead of scrolling past it.
Show up for the small decisions that lead to big changes. Vote in every election — especially primaries.
Have real conversations. Not just texts. Not just likes. Actually talk to people, especially those you disagree with. Learn to articulate your thoughts without hiding behind a screen.
Practice sustained attention. Start small — five minutes of uninterrupted focus. Then ten. Then twenty. Your brain is like a muscle; use it or lose it.
Think critically. Question everything, especially your own beliefs. Check sources. Look for evidence that contradicts what you already think is true. Get outside of your own bias when you consume news.
We’re standing at an evolutionary crossroads. One path leads to continued cognitive decline, where we become increasingly reactive, shallow-thinking creatures ruled by algorithms and instant gratification. The other path leads to becoming the species we’re capable of being — thoughtful, nuanced, and worthy of the remarkable brain we’ve inherited.
The choice is ours. But we need to make it soon, before we forget what we’re choosing between.
What’s it going to be? Are you ready to use that supercomputer between your ears for something more than scrolling through social media? Are you ready to evolve?
The next time you’re about to mindlessly click “like” or share something without reading it, remember: you’re carrying the most sophisticated information processing system known to exist in our galaxy. Maybe it’s time we started acting like it.