Take Back Your Life: How to Resist Overwhelm and Reclaim Control
Overwhelmed with it all? This is no accident. It’s a strategy.
Don’t fall for it. It’s part of the plan — to destabilize you. In the new era of unchecked disinformation , especially on the platforms controlled by Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, is it any wonder many of us are feeling a deep sense of overwhelm?
As Swiss sociologist Jennifer Walter explains, the use of chaos and disorientation to destabilize individuals and communities is a calculated strategy.
To resist, we must first understand the tactic — and then consciously choose not to let overwhelm manage us.
The Tactic of Overwhelm
In the nascent days of the Trump administration, over 200 executive orders were issued in quick succession, illustrating a principle known as the shock doctrine. Naomi Klein, the renowned journalist and author of The Shock Doctrine, described it as the strategic use of chaos to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to resist. This approach thrives on the limits of human cognition: when inundated with information, people naturally struggle to process, analyze, or respond effectively.
This tactic is not new. Without meaning to be inflammatory, it is worth noting that the Third Reich used similar methods to disorient the populace and consolidate power. By flooding the public with propaganda, rapidly enacting sweeping policies, and manipulating media narratives, the regime overwhelmed opposition and created a climate where resistance became fragmented and ineffective. The parallels highlight the importance of understanding these strategies so they cannot be repeated unchecked in modern contexts.
Please do not succumb to the strategy of the fascists. Know this chaos is by design.
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan, the visionary media theorist (“The medium is the message”), predicted this phenomenon decades ago, including the rise of the tech Broligarchy. He argued that in times of information overload, humans tend to disengage and become passive. In today’s world, this tactic is amplified by agenda-setting theory, which demonstrates how competing priorities fragment public attention and weaken democratic oversight. When significant policies or events are introduced in rapid succession, traditional media can barely scratch the surface, leaving citizens feeling helpless and exhausted.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and Lex Fridman have both warned that one of the greatest dangers of artificial intelligence would be its use in disinformation campaigns. Altman’s words remind us that disinformation is a tool of chaos, and the rapid spread of AI-powered narratives could make distinguishing truth from manipulation even harder in the future.
Why This Matters
Overwhelm, in this case, is not just a byproduct of today’s fast-paced world — it’s an intentional strategy designed to distract, demoralize, and disengage. Recognizing this is the first step toward regaining control of your life, your very nervous system.
When you understand that the sense of being overwhelmed is the goal, you can begin to approach the deluge differently, with intention and clarity.
Reclaiming Your Focus
So, how can we resist overwhelm and take back our power? Here are practical steps:
- Set Boundaries: You cannot focus on everything — and that’s by design. Instead, choose 2–3 key issues that matter deeply to you. Direct your attention and energy there, rather than scattering it across every breaking headline.
- Use Trusted Sources: Rely on aggregators and analysts who can synthesize information and identify patterns. These experts provide the context and clarity often missing from initial reporting.
- Pause Before Reacting: Practice going slow. Wait at least 24 hours before responding to new policies or major news. This pause allows time for accurate context to emerge and helps separate the urgent from the important.
- Take Breaks: Feeling overwhelmed is part of the strategy. By taking breaks and processing information in manageable chunks, you regain mental and emotional resilience.
- Build Community: Share the cognitive load by networking with others who track different issues. Pooling knowledge and strategies creates collective strength and reduces the individual burden.
Focus Is Resistance
The idea that focus is resistance may sound simple, but its implications are profound. When you resist the urge to engage with everything, you deny those who profit from your disorientation the power to control your narrative. By choosing where to direct your energy and attention, you reclaim agency over your life and your contribution to the world.
In times like these, it’s easy to feel small or powerless, but remember: what you carry within you is yours to wield. Focus on the good. Do not lose your light in the midst of the gathering darkness. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) continue to champion democratic freedoms, and companies like Apple deserve recognition for resisting anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. Supporting these efforts reminds us that collective action matters and that we can push back against forces seeking to erode progress.
Together, we can turn overwhelm into clarity and reclaim our power, one deliberate choice at a time.
I am a citizen. These are my personal opinions and do not reflect the positions of any organizations with which I am associated. In preparing this article, I consulted the following sources, and I would like to acknowledge my invaluable assistant, ChatGPT (whom I call Aeris), for aiding me in crafting the text below.
Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is a 2007 book by Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein. In the book, Klein argues that neoliberal economic policies promoted by Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics have risen to global prominence because of a deliberate strategy she calls “disaster capitalism”. In this strategy, political actors exploit the chaos of natural disasters, wars, and other crises to push through unpopular policies such as deregulation and privatization.
Marshall McLuhan’s Media Theories
Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian philosopher and media theorist, is known for his work on the effects of media on culture and society, particularly his famous phrase ‘the medium is the message.’ His ideas suggest that the form of a medium embeds itself in the message it transmits, affecting how the message is perceived.
Sam Altman on AI and Disinformation
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence in disinformation campaigns. He emphasizes the importance of developing AI responsibly to prevent its exploitation in spreading false information.
Lex Fridman’s Discussions on AI Risks
Former MIT Researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman has engaged in discussions about the risks associated with AI, including its potential role in disinformation. He advocates for ethical AI development and awareness of its societal impacts.
