Skip to content

What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes…

“What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention, and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.” quote by Herbert Simon
Download Open image
“What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention, and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.”

Herbert Simon

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage explains that abundant information overwhelms attention, creating a scarcity of focus that must be managed efficiently

In simple terms: Too much information reduces our ability to pay attention

Key Takeaway

Prioritize and filter information to protect your attention

Themes

information overload attention scarcity efficiency

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

educational practical

When to use this quote

  • workplace
  • education
  • media consumption
  • personal productivity

Key Concepts

Cognitive psychology information theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What methods help you allocate attention wisely?
  • How can you turn information abundance into an advantage?
A Different Perspective

The claim may ignore the value of diverse information for creativity

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Herbert Simon

Explore all 43 Herbert Simon quotes

More Attention quotes

Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes