Name: Popcorn brain.

Age: 13.

This analogy compares the appearance of something to overexcited popcorn kernels popping in a pan or microwave.

Is it possible for popcorn kernels to become overly excited? It seems improbable, but that is not the main issue. The term “popcorn brain” is a comparison used to describe the overwhelming multitasking and stimulation brought on by the digital realm. This term was originally coined by David M Levy in 2011, who has written books such as Mindful Tech and No Time to Think. According to Levy, the design of our most frequently used apps appears to be specifically designed to distract our focus.

Apologies, I was not fully engaged. I was occupied with viewing TikTok videos of pandas failing. Pandas seem to have no purpose. How have they not become extinct? Let’s refocus. Levy suggests that our brains have become accustomed to constant digital distractions such as notification sounds, opening new tabs, advertisements, mindless content, and adorable pandas, causing us to imitate that frantic pace.

Nicole Scherzinger, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, recently received an award for her role in a play. The Pussycat Dolls were not well received, correct? Can you please pay attention? It has been observed that the “popcorn brain” phenomenon has worsened in the last 20 years, coinciding with the growth of social media. A survey shows that the average person’s ability to focus on one task has decreased from approximately two and a half minutes to just 47 seconds in the past two decades.

The performance of Aston Villa at home is worrying. When will Tyrone Mings return to strengthen the team’s weak defense? Let’s stop aimlessly scrolling. According to psychologist Dannielle Haig, social media sites utilize algorithms to provide us with updates, alerts, and amusement. Each new piece of information causes a release of dopamine in our brains, which reinforces our desire to keep seeking and receiving new stimuli.

Did anyone have the chance to try the life-sized Taylor Swift cake that was made for the Super Bowl? Haig explains that constantly needing attention and quickly switching between tasks can cause a sense of mental agitation or the brain struggling to stay focused on one task for a long time.

Oh no, she’s correct! How can I break the habit of obsessing over Villa’s performance at home and Scherzinger’s resume? There are many self-help books that offer advice on how to regain focus, like Aditi Nerurkar’s The 5 Resets: Transform Your Mind and Body for Reduced Stress and Greater Resilience.

Yawn! Even the subtitle sounds boring. What can I do that doesn’t involve reading self-help books? Set tech-free times, put your phone in another room (with notifications off) and periodically delete apps, suggests clinical psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer. Or, if you’re lucky, accidentally leave your phone on the bus, like I did.

Avoid stating: “Is it possible to have an excessive amount of adorable kitten videos? That inquiry is meant to be rhetorical.”

Say: “I am a human being, not a ‘phono sapiens’ – pause for emphasis.”

Source: theguardian.com