Speed Of Life And The Cognitive Dilemma

Today, the delivery of information is simply faster than human cognition.

In today’s world, the transfer of information happens almost instantly. This rapid exchange of data has led to significant instability in many areas, including finance. The traditional “run on the bank” no longer requires people to flock to a physical bank branch. Instead, with just a touch of a button, based on information (correct or incorrect) that arrives instantaneously on social media platforms like Twitter.

This new reality has given rise to the concept of the “information now” as our new future. The adoption of innovation is no longer a function of traditional market diffusion but rather the speed of information transmission. And it’s this cutting edge that drives opportunity and danger. The delivery of information is simply faster than human cognition and drives a reactive “fight or flight” response that maybe described as a “technology limbic response.”

The problem is—from finance to medicine—that “information now” carries the expectation of “decision now.” The underlying FOMO (fear of missing out) further pushes this construct into absurdity.

This brings us to the concept of quantum entanglement, which Einstein famously referred to as “spooky action at a distance.” In the lab, subatomic particles can be split into two components that travel off like two billiard balls. When one particle is measured, it instantly impacts the other, regardless of the distance. In other words, what happens to one particle happens to the other, instantly!

This concept is similar to the way innovation is diffused in today’s technological world. The flow of information is so rapid that we are seeing an explosion of data in the “infosphere.” From medical breakthroughs to viral tweets, data arrives almost instantly. This transmission of innovation is no longer driven by “hubs of influence” but by a neural network where each individual is an epicenter or node of information in an independent and decentralized construct.

This convergence of technology and life is happening at an incredible speed, and it’s downright spooky. And in some instances, like banking, it drives actions that can be irrational and dangerous. The speed of trading can also lead to market volatility and the potential for flash crashes, where prices can rapidly drop or spike due to automated trading algorithms. Additionally, the speed of communication has led to the rapid spread of financial news and information, which can cause rapid changes in market sentiment and investor behavior. How can a human and rational reaction survive in this context?

Further, the speed of clinical information can certainly be life-saving in medical emergencies, as healthcare professionals can make quick and accurate decisions based on the latest data available. However, when it comes to clinicians receiving real-time data on their patients, this can add a significant cognitive burden. In a fast-paced environment, physicians are required to make split-second decisions based on a wealth of information. This can be overwhelming and can lead to errors or missed opportunities for intervention.

The cognitive processing capacity of the brain is limited, and it may not always be able to keep up with the real-time delivery of analytic-based data. While technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry, it is important to recognize that it can have functional imitations. There is a need for healthcare providers to strike a balance between the speed of information delivery and the cognitive capacity of the human brain. This requires the use of tools and technologies that allow physicians to receive and process information quickly and efficiently without overwhelming them.

The future is now, and it’s unfolding in an almost instantaneous way. One long-standing concern has been the volume of information and the associated “information paralysis” that ensues. But today, the volume of information is complicated by the speed of delivery. Together, these two “technological advances” can result in catastrophic errors.