When we become too busy to think

We now find ourselves flooded with information at all times. We instantly know about events unfolding in distant conflicts, and can communicate with anyone across the globe. Our lives are managed with unprecedented efficiency. Yet, there emerges a paradox from this wealth of data. The more we consume, the less we seem to have for introspection. In the 1960s, philosopher Martin Heidegger had warned about the danger of prioritising calculation over genuine contemplation. Today, his insight seems eerily relevant.

Much of our modern existence pushes towards reaction rather than reflection. A news flash appears; we immediate react with approval or disapproval. A video goes viral; within minutes, thousands have made their judgment. Someone voices an unpopular opinion, and they are swiftly branded as either enlightened or foolish, friend or foe.

Before one issue is thoroughly examined, another surfaces. The concern isn't merely about occasional mistakes. Constant agitation can gradually reshape our perception of fellow human beings. When suffering is constantly thrust upon us through our screens, compassion can be depleted. The news cycles through stories of war, poverty, cruelty, and disaster, interspersed with jokes and advertisements.

Gradually, our minds protect themselves by unconsciously becoming indifferent towards such misfortunes. When we cease to attentively engage with others, we find it easier to pigeonhole them: categorise them by religion, caste, nationality, ideology, or political beliefs. The individual human being is lost in the label.

This is why thinking is not merely an intellectual feat. It is also a moral act. To deeply contemplate another individual requires resisting the impulse to judge them instantly. It challenges us to contemplate the possibility of our own errors; that a person with whom we disagree might still hold some truth; and that another’s suffering merits our concern even when it is inconvenient.

Various religious traditions have different terms for this mindfulness. Christianity urges attending to one’s neighbour. Buddhism practices mindful awareness and compassion. Hindu traditions have long celebrated contemplation and self-knowledge. Islam repeatedly encourages reflection. Despite their differences, they all share a similar understanding: A life worth living entails more than mere activity. It needs attention.

Perhaps our hurried age now most desperately needs this. We don’t need to stop calculating or utilise the technologies that have revolutionised our lives. We simply need to remember that efficiency does not equate to wisdom; information does not equal understanding; and connectivity does not translate to human closeness. Sometimes, the most crucial action is also the simplest: resist the instinctive response, linger over a challenging question a little longer, and reconsider the person we were inclined to disregard.

For when we forsake the habit of deep thinking, we’re not just becoming less thoughtful. We risk becoming less human.