Technology fatigue

The relentless permeation of everyday life with → technology and the constant pressure to adapt and utilize it lead many people to a phenomenon known as technology fatigue or technology weariness.

This refers to a state of mental and emotional exhaustion caused by the excessive use of technological devices and continuous digital connectivity. Unlike general stress, this form of fatigue is specifically related to the demands of digital communication and interaction.

Typical symptoms include mental exhaustion after prolonged screen time, concentration problems, reduced productivity, being overwhelmed by an influx of information and constant notifications, as well as increasing loss of motivation. The causes lie in information overload, the pressure of constant availability, excessive screen usage, and the compulsion to keep up technologically.

Technology fatigue negatively affects work performance as it impairs focus and creativity. At the same time, it impacts personal life. Relationships can suffer, hobbies lose appeal, and feelings of isolation or alienation may arise.

Thus, technology fatigue is a direct human consequence of the logic of acceleration and the omnipresence of technical solutions described by Hartmut Rosa (→ technology resonance). It points to the dark side of a system that elevates permanent connectivity to the norm, often ignoring the limits of human endurance.