From tax to slack: this World Mental Health Day, reclaim cognitive space in the era of machine speed
Fortune 18
The article argues that relentless content streams, interruptions, and AI-assisted “agreement” reduce human thinking space and increase stress, leading to structural declines in attention and work quality. It cites research from Dr. Gloria Mark that screen attention spans fell from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 47 seconds today. It recommends building “cognitive slack,” slowing intentionally at critical moments, treating AI as an invitation to co-produce, and launching workforce mental health efforts like the Project Healthy Minds Workforce Lab.