EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Aug 23·5 min read
Doomscrolling at work wastes time, but the real cost is what happens after
TL;DR
Doomscrolling at work, or obsessively consuming negative news, significantly reduces employee engagement and productivity. The effects of this behavior can persist long after the scrolling stops.
✦ Why It Matters
Encourage employees to limit news consumption during work hours to enhance focus and productivity.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the impact of doomscrolling on work engagement.
- Limit doomscrolling to specific locations outside of work.
- Be aware of personal anxiety levels when consuming news.
- Encourage open discussions about mental health in the workplace.
Full Summary
Doomscrolling refers to the habit of obsessively scrolling through social media to consume distressing news, which has become increasingly common, especially among younger workers. A study led by Dr.
Ian Hughes at Texas A&M University revealed that employees who engage in doomscrolling during work hours tend to ruminate on negative information, leading to decreased work engagement. The research involved two studies with participants from the U.S. and U.K., showing a strong correlation between doomscrolling and lower productivity, particularly among those with high neuroticism, a personality trait linked to anxiety.
The findings suggest that while doomscrolling is often seen as a productivity issue, its impact extends beyond mere time lost, affecting mental focus and engagement. Hughes recommends setting boundaries for doomscrolling to mitigate its effects, suggesting that employees should confine this behavior to specific locations outside of work.