Return to Reading: Navigating the Emotional Maze of Short-Form Video Content
As an industrial designer and artist, my life is centered around creativity and innovation. The digital age, with its ceaseless stream of information and inspiration, has brought about significant changes in the ways I, and undoubtedly many of us in the creative field, consume and process information. Of these changes, the prominence of short-form video content is undeniable. Yet, I find myself returning to a more traditional method of information consumption - reading. Here's why.
The Digital Shift and its Creative Implications
In the pursuit of staying current and innovative, we often find ourselves drawn to the convenience of short-form video content. These bite-sized nuggets of information, available at the tap of a screen, offer instant insights that cater to our ever-decreasing attention spans. While this medium is useful for a quick fix of inspiration, I've found it can also lead us on an emotional rollercoaster.
The Dual-Process Theory, which suggests that our brains have two systems for processing information, resonates with my experience. System 1, which is engaged while consuming short-form content, is intuitive and emotional. However, I found the rapid emotional shifts induced by these bite-sized pieces of information left me feeling drained, impacting my creative energy.
Cognitive Overload and Emotional Contagion
As creators, our cognitive resources are precious. The Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing posits that these resources are finite. The ceaseless flow of content provided by infinite scrolling continually offers new stimuli, which I found led to cognitive overload. This left less mental bandwidth for my creative process, which relies on deep, sustained thought.
Additionally, I noticed the impact of Emotional Contagion - the idea that we 'catch' emotions from others. Short-form content, due to its rapid spread, can amplify this effect, leading to mood swings that I found disruptive to my work.
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The Therapeutic Return to Reading
In my quest for balance, I found myself returning to the timeless art of reading. Reading, I realized, allowed me to engage with information at my own pace, fostering a sense of calm and control. It also allowed me to delve deeper into topics, stimulating my imagination and enhancing my creative thought processes.
In the design and art world, it's critical to comprehend the nuances of concepts and ideas deeply. Reading gave me the space to pause, reflect, and revisit content, facilitating better understanding and retention.
A Personal Rebirth of Reading
Rediscovering reading has been a breath of fresh air in my creative journey. Not only does it provide a break from the emotional rollercoaster offered by short-form video content, but it also serves as a reminder of the value of immersing oneself deeply in information, at our own pace.
I share my experience with fellow designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators not as a critique of short-form video content but as a gentle reminder of the value of diversified information consumption. The resurgence of reading in my own life has been a boon to my creativity and mental wellbeing, and perhaps it might be for you too.
Embrace the digital age, but remember to carve out space for traditional methods. For in the quiet, uninterrupted moments spent with a book or a long-form article, we might just find our next groundbreaking idea.