Stimulation Addiction

I want to discuss the quote that mass media, “operates whether or not we are watching of not” (S&C). With such constant stimulation with information, after a while, are we just going to ignore it? Psychology says a constant stream of stimulation will be slowly ignored and not considered as a constant presence. Similarity, the human development theory states that a constant stimulus does not need to be continuously reinforced by actual feeling. For example, if there a foul odor in the room, do you need to be continuously reinforced that there is a foul odor? No, of course not. Eventually, your mind becomes distracted with other things as your brain nerves slowly taper off their messages of the foul odor.

Similarly, the constant stream of information that continuously surrounds us will eventually numb our perception of the information. I feel the ominous presence of media and communication will continuously be our generation’s pitfall. With so many messages and visual stimulation occurring around us, we need more and more incentive to stay interested. Over years of watching television, Internet and other visual medias, our generation has build up a lower tolerance towards becoming distracted and a higher tolerance of staying disinterested. As a result, we will have a harder time focusing our attention towards one type of medium, for example, reading a book or novel. While checking our Facebook accounts or funny home videos on YouTube, seems much more satisfying for our stimulation addiction.