Trend Overload: Why We Crave Slower, More Meaningful Content
Is Trend Overload Making the Internet Meaningless?
I’m back in LA after two weeks of traveling to NYC for Advertising Week, co-hosting and producing a special #Creators4MentalHealth event by Peace Inside Live at Shopify, and visiting the White House. I’m actually an ambivert—both an extrovert and introvert—so slowing down is one of my favorite things.
You might be surprised by this, considering you often see me out and about, especially since I founded a company called What’s Trending. But things change as you get older, I guess, and you become more aware of your needs.
That’s why this week’s subject couldn’t be more relevant to me—and, I think, to a lot of you too.
I recently came across a post from Earnest Pettie, someone I've known for a while who works with YouTube Trends. I find it interesting how he categorizes between external real-world trends and social media and how our brain organizes this information. He shared some really insightful thoughts on how we experience trend overload, and it got me thinking about how I personally deal with the constant flood of information.
We’ve all been there—scrolling through endless trends that pop up faster than we can keep track of. From viral audio clips and dances to the latest celebrity buzz, it can feel like the Internet is throwing everything at us all at once, making it hard to find what actually matters.
But is it too much? We’re being exposed to more of them than ever before, and it can be a lot to handle.
More than half of U.S. adults report getting their news through social mediaregularly, and platforms are designed to keep us hooked. The algorithms push new trends, often negative or sensational, directly into our feeds, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and in information overload. In fact, recent studies have found that the more we consume news through social media, the more we experience emotional distress. This is where terms like “doomscrolling” and “headline stress disorder” come into play.
As a creator and consumer, I feel this firsthand. On one hand, there’s the pressure to keep up, post frequently, and stay relevant. On the other hand, I find myself craving a slower process and more meaningful, intimate interactions.
My Hot Take🔥: For me, staying on top of trends has become a bit of a muscle—a skill you develop over time. It’s about following the right people who’ve been early adopters in the past, as well as keeping an eye on emerging voices. Naturally, the algorithm starts feeding you similar content, and before long, you begin seeing a consistent theme or trend—sometimes even a soon-to-be-viral video—before many others.
When you work in this field, you also start recognizing patterns as posts gain momentum. You can often tell if something might take off, not just by who posted it, but by the emotions it sparks, how absurd or shareable it is, and the engagement it generates.
As Pettie mentions, there's an offline version of this and an online version, and I believe they influence and amplify each other. The lines between the two are becoming increasingly blurred.
That said, while we’ve been living in an attention economy, I believe we’re shifting into an intention economy—where we’re more selective about what we consume and share. Sure, we can blame platforms and trends for pulling us in, but ultimately, it's up to us to choose when to engage and when to step back. This shift will help us become better consumers and creators.
The shift from mindlessly consuming or creating content to being more intentional about what truly brings us joy is how we make the internet feel meaningful again.
Here are 5 Quick Tips for Dealing with Trend Overload:
1. Set Boundaries: Limit your social media time to avoid constant exposure. Try scheduled breaks or a digital detox.
2. Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that bring value, inspiration, or joy instead of just noise.
3. Prioritize What Matters: Focus on trends that align with your goals or interests and skip the rest.
4. Engage Intentionally: Interact with content that resonates rather than mindlessly consuming.
5. Take Breaks from Trends: Step away to process and reflect on what's meaningful to you.
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Other headlines to check out:
Web3
Creator Economy
AI
Keeping my eye on… Rosebud
This week, I hosted a panel on AI and wellness for Tech Week LA. I wanted to feature an additional LA-based company and stumbled on Rosebud. The app has a ton of positive reviews and even received investment from Alexis Ohanian’s investment fund, Seven Seven Six.
Rosebud is an AI-powered journaling app co-founded by Chrys Bader and Sean Dadashi in 2019. It helps users with personal growth by offering personalized feedback on their journal entries, summarizing insights, and guiding them toward setting goals and reflecting on their progress. Powered by OpenAI, the app tailors its responses based on users' input, acting as a mentor for emotional and mental well-being.
Bullish on… Life With Machines Podcast
I’ve known Baratunde since our early internet years, he has since grown and evolved as a thought leader, host and producer. His latest series, Life With Machines, dives deep into the human side of the AI revolution.
In this podcast, Baratunde explores how AI impacts our everyday lives—both in meaningful and absurd ways—while asking the big question: can machines help us become more human? With his signature blend of humor and insight, Thurston guides listeners through complex conversations about technology, encouraging us to actively shape our digital futures.
Gentle Reminder 🤲
Sometimes, all you need is a little space and faith to let life unfold 🙏❤️ Trust the process.
Remember, I'm Bullish on you!
With gratitude,
CEO, Hallmark Abstract Service (New York Title Insurance); Board Chair Combat Veteran Heroes To Heroes Foundation; Podcast Host 'Do You Ever Wonder?'
1moMy key takeaway Shira Lazar is prioritizing what matters To Me, and then try to alleviate much of the rest! Great post!
Interim and Associate Dean of Assessment, Research, and Planning at Tarleton State University
1moThe internet is meaningless.
Partnering in Your Growth & Transformation Journey | Author | Speaker | Mindset Coach
1moCreate great content and the trend will not matter as much.
Oh yes- meet online friends offline also helps to make the internet more meaningful!