In 2006, designer Aza Raskin introduced a UX pattern that would change the internet forever: the . Originally intended to make browsing more seamless by eliminating the "toilsome" process of clicking through pages (pagination), Raskin later expressed deep regret for its addictive consequences.
In 2004, the average attention span on a digital device was roughly 150 seconds. By 2024, it reached a staggering low of 47 seconds , mirroring the average length of a social media video. MODERN SCROLLS
Interestingly, as we struggle with "doomscrolling," modern technology is also being used to "unscroll" the past. The Decline of Attention Span in the Digital Era In 2006, designer Aza Raskin introduced a UX
The Modern Scroll: How We Went from Papyrus to Pixels (and Why It’s Changing Our Brains) By 2024, it reached a staggering low of
Researchers use the analogy of a "bottomless soup bowl" to describe infinite scrolling. When a bowl automatically refills, people consume 73% more without realizing it; digital scrolls exploit this same psychological principle to keep users engaged far longer than intended.
A 2024 study found that heavy users of short-form video scrolls showed reduced brainwave activity in the frontal cortex, potentially impairing impulse control and focus. Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Tech
Similar to slot machines, modern scrolls utilize "variable rewards". You scroll not because every post is good, but because the possibility of finding something perfect—a funny meme or a breaking news update—keeps you hunting. Your Brain on the Scroll