In just a few short decades, we have seen a shift like no other in the medium by which we communicate with others. Our lives have become increasingly involved in the digital realm, where attention, memory, learning, and even social interaction occur primarily through screens.
In my own time as a computer science student, as part of a larger big data project, I have begun tracking my own digital behavior as the content I am exposed to day by day. For me, this has highlighted how my focus and learning seem to occur in short, intense bursts rather than long, sustained efforts.
This makes me wonder: How has the shift to digital environments altered human cognition, motivation, and attention, and what are the long-term psychological consequences?