"وفور اطلاعات باعث فقر توجه می‌شود"

When you've got too much information coming at you, it’s hard to know what to focus on. That’s really the essence of this quote. We live in a world where we're constantly bombarded with data, news, opinions, and ads. It’s everywhere—on our phones, computers, and even our watches. Because there’s so much information, it becomes challenging to concentrate on what’s truly important.

This idea was articulated by Herbert A. Simon, a Nobel laureate in economics, back in 1971. He was pointing out that as we gain access to more and more information, our attention—our ability to focus—becomes the real scarce resource. Think about it: in the past, people sought information because it was hard to come by. Now, we’re drowning in it, and we don’t know where to look first.

Let’s take a practical example. Imagine you're at work, trying to finish a critical project. Your phone buzzes with notifications, your email inbox pings constantly, and you've got colleagues dropping by for a quick chat. Each of these interruptions isn't just a minor distraction—they pull your focus away and make it harder to get back into the zone. That’s a real-life scenario where an overload of information and stimuli creates a poverty of attention.

So, how do we deal with this? First, prioritize. Make a list of what genuinely needs your attention. Limit your intake of information to what’s necessary for the task at hand. For instance, if you’re working on a report, do you really need to check every single news update or scroll through social media? Probably not. Secondly, create boundaries. Set specific times to check emails or social media so they don’t interrupt your flow. Finally, take breaks. Give your brain a rest so it can process what’s important and what’s not.

Imagine this: you're studying for a major exam. Books, notes, and online resources are spread out in front of you. Every few minutes, your phone lights up with a new notification. You feel like you should answer every message and check every update. But you don’t. Instead, you decide to put your phone on Do Not Disturb. You set a timer for 45 minutes and focus solely on your study material. After the timer goes off, you give yourself a 10-minute break to check your phone, stretch, or grab a snack. You repeat this cycle. By the end of the day, you’ve accomplished more than you thought possible.

This story shows the concept in action. By managing the influx of information and setting clear boundaries, you can maintain your focus and make meaningful progress. So next time you feel overwhelmed by information, remember: your attention is valuable. Protect it. Choose wisely what deserves your focus. This way, you transform information overload from a source of distraction into a tool that works for you, not against you.