Is the modern economy a relentless storm of mediocrity, drenching you in monotony?

By Mike Reid | January 2025

Eventually, aren't there enough things to do the internet?

At a point, could the sheer number of options be overwhelming?

In a famous study called the Jam Experiment, researchers from Columbia and Stanford established a complimentary jam tasting booth within a grocery store located in Menlo Park, CA.

This happened way back in the year 2000, a time when the allure of free jam samples outweighed the pull of today's distractions.

On Day #1 of the Jam Experiment, the researchers went all out and presented 24 distinct types of jam samples. The options were broad, ranging from exotic kiwi jam to luscious peach, tart black cherry, and even red currant jam.

With such an enticing array of choices, 60% of those who came across the jam booth were lured to sample a jam.

But then, the researchers decided to up the ante and started to alternate the number of jams available. Every hour, they changed the number of jams available — from offering 24 choices to just six options, and then back up to 24 again.

Recall, when presented with 24 options, 60% of people stopped to sample a jam. But, with just six options, the interest was just 40%. Fewer options resulted in less interest in free samples.

But here's where the findings took an unexpected turn: With a mere six options on the table, an impressive 30% of those tasting the jams went on to buy at least one of them.

In contrast, when given a staggering 24 options, only a tiny 3% of samplers actually went through with a purchase.

For an overwhelming 97% of the Menlo Park, CA population in 2000, 24 choices of jam proved to be too much to handle. It seemed as if they were paralyzed by the plethora of choices.

But wait. Isn't the modern internet an endless array of options?

There's always another click to make, always another jam to try.

And even when you decide to 'purchase' a jam, can you ever find contentment online? Is satisfaction ever genuinely attainable?

Let's shed light on a harsh truth: The internet, a place once capable of fostering human connections, exchanging ideas, and sharing information has spiraled into a maelstrom of maladies.

The worst part? We're all drowning in it, unable to break free from the powerful current of incessant online activity.
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And who stands to benefit from our obsession?

The tech titans, the behemoths who pull the strings of the digital marionettes we've become. They revel in our dependence, our 'engagement' with their platforms. Each click, each 'like', each shared post is a victory for them, a testament to their successful endeavor to make us permanent residents of their digital empire.

But dare to envision a future where life as we know it takes a drastic turn for the better. Picture a world where we rise above the constant onslaught of pointless distractions, where we have the courage to say no to the ceaseless buffet of meaningless chatter available online every moment of every day.

Dare to imagine a digital landscape that's dramatically improved — a gleaming utopia that's a staggering 100,000% better.

In this new digital realm, the internet isn't a murky quagmire but a crystal-clear spring of valuable knowledge.

Gone are the days of navigating through a whirlpool of garbage.

Instead, we're presented with a treasure trove of trusted resources and insightful discourse. The corporate lords that once held us in thrall are now our allies, serving us, not exploiting us.

Privacy is cherished, never bartered. And the algorithms that used to confine us now liberate us — revealing an array of perspectives that enrich our understanding of reality.