The calendar turns over, and another year begins: 2026. From our perspective here on a High Plane, it appears that our planet is spinning faster and becoming even more chaotic than in 2025. At least that’s what it looks like through the lens of mainstream, social, and alternative media. However, when we ignore the media, it looks much the same as always.
The sun rises and sets, the wind turbines spin, and the tumbleweeds roll. I scored a 15-mile dirt road ride on New Year’s Eve to finish 2025 just shy of 2000 miles. Not bad for an old man, but I plan to do even better in 2026. We intend to spend more time and energy on fun and adventure, and away from the distraction of electronic media.
Distraction is a fascinating topic because it sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, and social engineering. It’s not purely one thing or the other—human nature plays a role, but there’s plenty of evidence that it’s being amplified and exploited for profit, and control.
“An addiction to distraction is the end of your creative production.” ~ Robin Sharma
Our brains are wired to make distraction inevitable and even beneficial in certain situations. Humans have always been prone to shifting attention—it’s a survival instinct. When humans were hunter/gatherers, getting distracted by a rustle in the bushes could mean protecting the family from a saber-toothed tiger or bagging a bunny for a big pot of Lapin a La Cocotte (Rabbit Stew).
That said, the scale and intensity of distraction today feels far from “natural.” Much of it is engineered with motives tied to economics or control. Tech companies, advertisers, and governments have optimized systems to hijack our attention. Our dopamine-driven reward systems make us crave novelty, and social media platforms deliver.
They’ve switched to infinite scrolling and short-form content because it’s addictive—it provides quick dopamine hits every few seconds, keeping users hooked longer to show more ads. Like Lay’s potato chips, “I bet you can’t eat just one.” Algorithms tailor content to target your specific vulnerabilities, leading to mindless consumption that weakens focus and critical thinking.
“There’s nothing like the peace of the countryside, the quiet, and the lack of distraction. It helps you to focus your mind.” ~ Jenny Nimmo
Historical parallels exist, like “bread and circuses” in ancient Rome, but digital tools intensify this dynamic: AI and algorithms predict and monetize every click, turning your attention into a commodity. Electronic bread-and-circuses that promote sedentary lifestyles and consumerism. Human vulnerability might lay the groundwork, but modern technology intentionally exploits it for dubious purposes, such as profit maximization or social engineering.
“What sets disciplined people apart? The capacity to get past distractions.” ~ Bill Parcells
