Our brains can't handle this much data...

In 1950, the average person consumed about 0.2 gigabytes of information per day.

That’s the equivalent of reading a slim paperback.

In 2025, that number has exploded to 74 gigabytes per day.

That’s 370 times more information in just 75 years 🤯

Have our brains evolved at the same pace as our data streams? Let’s just say:

The Cost of Information Overload

On the surface, it’s simple: We forget most of what we read, watch, and listen to.

But the deeper cost is digital burnout: the mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion caused by overexposure to screens and information.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling mentally “foggy” or scattered

• Difficulty focusing deeply on one task

• A low-grade sense of anxiety when offline

• Consuming more content, but feeling less satisfied

• Constantly jumping between tabs, apps, and notifications

As a multi-time victim of digital burnout, I’m here to tell you it sucks! But as a survivor, I’m here to tell you there’s hope.

You can protect your focus and your energy without quitting the internet or moving to a cabin in the woods (although I’d welcome the idea 😄).

It starts with boundaries.

My 3-Filter Method for Inputs

I think about information like a diet. If I eat and drink whatever’s in front of me, I’ll end up feeling sluggish and unhealthy.

Here’s how I (try to) filter my info intake:

1) Purpose Filter: Why this, why now?

My online behavior can be unconscious.

One click, and suddenly I’d go from writing code to reading football news, to scrolling memes, to watching a random video about penguins.

But with the right tools, I can be more intentional with my digital time.

On mobile, unhookd adds friction before I can open distracting apps. It forces me to pause and decide why and for how long I will allow access.

On my Mac, I use an app called Flow that blocks other apps and websites so I can’t fall into rabbit holes while working.

2) Schedule Filter: Is it the right time?

Unscheduled content consumption is a recipe for all-day distraction.

My most pleasant and productive days are ones where I schedule:

• Reading time

• Email catch-up

• Social media check-ins (also using unhookd - example below)

When I don’t, I end the day feeling super drained.

3) Source Filter: Who am I letting in?

I usually limit my inputs to:

• A few podcasts

• A handful of newsletters

• A small circle of thought leaders

This doesn’t mean I never explore new sources. Sometimes discovery is really refreshing.

But by questioning who and what I’m allowing to feed me data, I stay in control instead of letting the algorithms decide.

Without these filters, I end up context switching all day long…

Final Thoughts

Information overload isn’t going away. All charts are pointing up.

But there are two ways to fight back:

1. Reduce the amount of information we consume

2. Improve the quality of what we consume (aligning it with our goals, interests, and values)

What do you think? Hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week,
George

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