“A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention”
— Herbert Simon
Simplified Meaning:
When there is too much information available, it becomes hard to focus on any one thing. Imagine you are at a big buffet with every kind of food you like. Even though there's a lot to eat, you might have trouble deciding what to put on your plate because there are so many choices. In the same way, when we have access to endless amounts of information, our brains can get overwhelmed. We find it difficult to concentrate on important details or tasks. For instance, think about trying to study for a test while having your phone nearby with constant notifications from social media, news, and messages. Those interruptions make it difficult to concentrate on studying because your attention keeps shifting. To handle this better, you can turn off notifications and focus on one thing at a time. This helps make sure your mind isn't scattered and can fully understand and remember the information you really need.