Laugh Tracks to Attention Manipulation

On this, our 307th Evolutionary Lens livestream, we discuss short form video (SFV), advertisers coming for our dreams, and a review of where we are, and where we are headed. Short form video has negative impacts on both cognitive capacity and mental health in youth and adults; in the context of recent research, we discuss laugh track, philosophy of science, and how tiny actions that appear to have no harm can be very harmful in the aggregate. Then: humans have a long history of accessing our hypnogogic states—between waking and sleep—for creative or spiritual purposes. Now, most companies surveyed are looking into “targeted dream incubation” as a way to change consumer behavior, including Burger King with their 2018 green-bunned “Nightmare King” burger. How do we resist? Finally: an intercalary period is when the absence of an even number of days in the year catches up with our calendars, and we add things like leap days. The mismatch between the solstice, Christmas, and new year’s may point to this reality, and we seem to be living in a metaphorical one. We can’t predict what comes next; the political landscape is in chaotic motion; Silver’s rise in price may set off market collapse—so what can you do? Spend time in person with real people; develop real relationship; and become comfortable in solitude. Treasure your privacy, and both time alone, and time together.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Nguyen et al 2025. Feeds, feelings, and focus: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the cognitive and mental health correlates of short-form video use. Psych Bull 151(9):1125: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-89350-001.pdf

Marlan 2023. The Nightmare of Dream Advertising. Wm & Mary Law Rev 65: 259: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmlr/vol65/iss2/2/

Crawford 2016. The World Beyond Your Head: https://amzn.to/3MSKI1n (commission earned)

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