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The Cognitive Bandwidth Crisis: Why We Are Getting Dumber In The Age of Information

Fahri Karakas
13 min readOct 3, 2024
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

Part 1: The Invisible Threat to Our Minds

Imagine a world where access to infinite information makes us less intelligent. Where constant connectivity leaves us more isolated. Where an abundance of choice paralyzes us.

Welcome to 2025. Welcome to the age of Cognitive Bandwidth Saturation.

The Paradox of Our Time

We stand at a peculiar juncture in human history. We have more access to information than ever before, more tools to boost productivity, more ways to connect. Yet, we’re witnessing:

- A decline in critical thinking skills
- A rise in mental health issues
- A decrease in empathy
- A struggle to solve complex global problems

What if all these seemingly disparate issues stem from a single, unrecognized phenomenon?

Introducing the Cognitive Bandwidth Saturation Model

The Cognitive Bandwidth Saturation Model posits a startling idea: human cognitive capacity has a finite bandwidth, and we’re approaching its limits. This saturation is eroding our ability to process complex…

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Fahri Karakas
Fahri Karakas

Written by Fahri Karakas

Associate Professor in Business & Leadership at University of East Anglia. Passionate about doodling, imagination, and creativity. Author of Self-Making Studio.

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