Listen to a podcast I created for this here:

A long time ago, people didn't meet as many other people or learn as much stuff as we do today. We can look at how different things are now in a bunch of ways!

1. Social Circles:

 Ancient Times:

 Limited Social Network: People in ancient societies, especially in agrarian or nomadic settings, typically lived in small, close-knit communities. An individual might have known between 100 to 200 people over their lifetime, often those within their immediate village, tribe, or neighboring areas. This figure aligns with Dunbar's number, which posits that humans can comfortably maintain stable social relationships with around 150 people.

 Slow Change: Social structures were relatively stable, and the pace of change in relationships was slow, allowing more depth in social bonds over time.

 Present Day:

 Expansive Network: In modern times, thanks to telecommunications, social media, and globalization, an individual might have access to thousands of people. With platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, people often have hundreds or thousands of online contacts, though many of these relationships may remain superficial.

 Superficial Relationships: While the quantity of social interactions has increased, the depth of personal relationships may have decreased, as attention is split across a larger number of people.

2. Information Exposure:

 Ancient Times:

 Local and Limited Information: The majority of the information ancient people consumed came from their immediate environment. They learned about social events, farming, hunting, or warfare through direct experience or oral communication. News traveled slowly, if at all, and was generally local or regional.

 Cognitive Simplicity: People were not overwhelmed by information. The information they needed for survival or social interactions was more straightforward, allowing them to focus on essential, practical knowledge.

 Present Day:

 Information Overload: In contrast, today’s individuals are exposed to an overwhelming amount of information from 24-hour news channels, social media, the internet, podcasts, and streaming services. People consume news from across the globe in real-time, often with multiple sources competing for attention, resulting in information saturation.

 Complexity and Ambiguity: Modern information is not just more abundant, but often complex, requiring individuals to filter facts from misinformation, deal with conflicting viewpoints, and stay updated on a broader range of subjects.

3. Psychological Effects:

 Ancient Times:

 Focused Attention: With fewer social connections and less incoming information, ancient individuals likely had more focused attention and less cognitive stress related to social comparison or news anxiety. They knew what was directly relevant to their lives, fostering a sense of community stability.

 Slower Pace of Life: The pace of life was slower, with less frequent disruptions by external events. There was likely more opportunity for reflection, with fewer distractions from their immediate environment.

 Present Day:

 Cognitive Overload: The massive influx of information in modern times has been linked to cognitive overload and decision fatigue. The human brain is not evolved to process vast quantities of data at high speed, leading to difficulties in focusing, filtering out irrelevant information, and retaining details. Constant exposure to crises and breaking news can cause a state of continuous partial attention.

 Anxiety and Stress: Modern information systems, especially social media, have been linked to increased anxiety, stress, and depression. For example:

 Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Social media often creates pressure to stay informed and connected, which can fuel feelings of inadequacy or anxiety if one feels left out.

 Doomscrolling: Constantly checking negative or distressing news can create a cycle of anxiety known as “doomscrolling.”

 Decision Paralysis: With too many choices and streams of information, individuals can experience paralysis in decision-making or even mental fatigue from sifting through options.

 Social Comparison: People today are constantly comparing themselves to the highlights of other people's lives on social media, leading to lower self-esteem, especially among younger users.

 Decreased Attention Span: Research suggests that the bombardment of information from various digital platforms has shortened attention spans, making it more difficult for people to engage in long-term, focused tasks or deep thinking.

4. Impact on Relationships and Social Behavior:

 Ancient Times:

 Stronger Personal Bonds: Relationships in ancient times were often stronger and more deeply rooted in face-to-face interactions. The relatively small number of social connections allowed for more time and effort to be invested in maintaining close relationships.

 Higher Trust in Community: The limited social circle meant trust within communities was vital, and social capital was high. Reputation and social standing were closely monitored, creating a more cohesive and reliable community.

 Present Day:

 Fragmented Relationships: In modern times, relationships can be more fragmented. While technology enables more connections, it also creates distance, as people may interact digitally but miss out on the emotional depth of face-to-face interactions.

 Loneliness Paradox: Ironically, despite increased connectivity, modern individuals report higher levels of loneliness. The lack of deep, meaningful interactions and the superficial nature of many online relationships can leave people feeling socially isolated.

5. Information Filtering Mechanisms:

 Ancient Times:

 Organic Filtering: Information in ancient times was naturally filtered through word of mouth, and only the most important or relevant news spread. The community would act as a filtering mechanism, deciding what information was worth discussing or sharing.

 Present Day:

 Algorithmic Filtering: Today, we rely on algorithms from social media platforms and search engines to filter the vast amount of available information. While these algorithms can help personalize content, they can also create echo chambers and filter bubbles, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and reinforcing pre-existing biases.

The psychological effects of increased access to information and contacts in modern times manifest primarily in cognitive overload, anxiety, and a sense of fragmentation, which contrast sharply with the stability, focused attention, and deeper social bonds of ancient times.

Here are some easy ways to overcome this problem:

- Practice the Jesus Prayer and meditation to enhance focus and reduce anxiety.

- Set boundaries for technology use to prevent cognitive overload.

- Prioritize tasks and information to manage attention effectively.

- Engage in regular digital detoxes to reconnect with the present moment.

- Foster deeper social connections through face-to-face interactions.

- Limit multitasking to improve concentration and task completion.

- Use tools and apps designed to organize information and reduce clutter.

- Develop a routine that includes time for reflection and relaxation.

- Seek professional help if feelings of anxiety or fragmentation persist.

- Cultivate hobbies and activities that promote a sense of stability and fulfillment.

These papers delve into how humans, both ancient and modern, manage social networks and the increasing cognitive strain caused by modern information systems. Here are some papers and resources that discuss Dunbar's number, social networks, and the effects of modern information overload:

1. [A Distributed Dunbar-Based Framework for Online Social Networks](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barbara-Guidi/publication/296329124_A_distributed_Dunbar-based_Framework_for_Online_Social_Network/links/56d43f5708aedf315fb71709/A-distributed-Dunbar-based-Framework-for-Online-Social-Network.pdf) 

- Discusses the application of Dunbar's number to online social networks and its implications for managing information overload.

2. [Small Worlds, Material Culture, and Ancient Near Eastern Social Networks](http://www.fcoward.co.uk/cowardsmallworlds.pdf) 

- Explores the study of prehistoric social networks and how ancient communities managed social relationships and information.

3. [How the Size and Structure of Egocentric Networks Change During a Life Transition](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1569490924000431) 

- Examines the shifts in social networks and the cognitive challenges related to maintaining large social circles, with reference to Dunbar's number.

4. [Social Media Overload, Exhaustion, and Use Discontinuance](https://researchportal.tuni.fi/files/47919431/Social_media_overload_exhaustion_2020.pdf) 

- Discusses cognitive overload caused by social media and information overload, using Dunbar’s number as a benchmark for human social capacities.

5. [Dunbar’s Number and the Stability of Religious Social Networks](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yair-Lior/publication/363942191_The_Routledge_Handbook_of_Evolutionary_Approaches_to_Religion/links/63b873e1097c7832ca969e7d/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Evolutionary-Approaches-to-Religion.pdf#page=127) 

- Explores how religious communities and social networks are influenced by the limits of human cognitive capacity.

6. [Lost in Transportation: Information Measures and Cognitive Limits in Multilayer Navigation](https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/sciadv.1500445) 

- Discusses cognitive limits like Dunbar’s number in relation to modern information overload.