Shiny object syndrome: what does it consist of?

Blinded, hypnotized and even clouded. This is how we sometimes feel when something becomes fashionable in our society. It could be a new technology, a book that sells us eternal happiness or even a politician who promises us pie in the sky. People are often like children chasing colored lights thinking that, by touching them, our wishes will come true.

Human beings are eternal dreamers and easily get excited, especially if something or someone appears in their path that is attractive enough to capture their attention. This phenomenon not only arises at the individual level, many companies also often fall into this trap. They start a project by letting themselves be carried away by a market trend without evaluating any variable.

Sometimes we become so obsessed with one idea, concept, or desire that everything else disappears from our field of vision. It is like someone who is captivated by a light in the dark without knowing that, in reality, it is the spotlight of an approaching train. We have all, at some point, experienced that feeling in which something caught our interest so much that we were not able to see that it was all false, a mere mirage on the horizon…

Sometimes we are like little children, letting ourselves be carried away by our emotions without analyzing what is before us.

What is shiny object syndrome?

Shiny object syndrome defines an experience in which we feel captivated by a phenomenon that is fashionable.. For a while, we became obsessed with it to the point of not paying attention to anything else. Some time later, we discovered that that idea, concept or person was not as incredible as we thought. Then disappointment comes.

It may also be the case that another “bright object” appears and then the first one loses interest. After all, in this present so variegated with stimuli, ideas and concepts, it is easy to feel attracted to some and then to others. This would not be a problem if, at times, these temporary fascinations entailed an emotional and economic cost to us.

Thus, in a study by Dr. Teresa Pearson, from Stony Brook University in New York, something interesting stands out on this topic. It is still paradoxical how In our society, some ideas become popular instantly and others, on the other hand, barely reach the general public.. This is very common in the scientific field.

Many of the messages that science tries to disseminate do not always reach people nor are they given validity. On the other hand, others that are neither useful nor true can go viral. What is this phenomenon due to?

If it shines and sounds good, it is useful and it is true

In the business world, shiny object syndrome appears with high frequency. It gives shape to that trend in which an entrepreneur starts projects by letting himself be carried away by an idea without evaluating risks, viability and sustainability. Sometimes that idea seems brilliant to them, just because it is fashionable and many people talk about it. Then, it is validated. He thinks he has a great business on his hands and then failure arises.

The same thing happens on a personal level. How many times have we met someone who dazzled us with their way of being and after time we discovered their falsehood? Many. Indeed, Our reality is inhabited by infinite shiny objects (concepts and people) that blind us with their charm and they end up being completely useless and disappointing.

The complicated thing about all this is that money and time are lost and a thousand and one frustrations arise for not having been more prudent, reflective and analytical.

What’s behind shiny object syndrome?

It’s important pointing that shiny object syndrome is not a psychological disorder described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). We are dealing with a fairly common behavior that has been labeled under this non-clinical and, therefore, non-pathological designation.

In addition, Shiny object syndrome is more common than ever given this current situation, so dominated by stimuli and distraction.. So many ideas come to us at the same time that we are not able to analyze them calmly, measuredly and objectively.

Many of the news, ideas and messages that reach us through social networks can overshadow us and end up being totally misleading.

When all that glitters is not gold: how can we protect ourselves from falsehood?

In this reality dominated by social networks and constant information, not all that glitters is gold. It’s more like brass. Let ourselves be eclipsed by the influencers and their messages, for fake news and trends that are fashionable, is something completely normal. However, not everything that comes to us benefits us, rather it can harm us in infinite ways.

There are those who follow diets that end up affecting their health. Many get carried away by pop psychology without scientific evidence that promises to teach us how to achieve what we want. Others meet people who are not who they say they are and some start projects getting carried away by trends that barely last two days. How to protect ourselves from shiny object syndrome?

Critical thinking is our lifeline in an environment that is increasingly diffuse, complex and inhabited by lights that blind us.. It is more necessary than ever to develop a cognitive approach capable of analyzing and evaluating the consistency and validity of what comes to you. This requires controlling the accelerated mind, the one that is aware of all stimuli and does not dedicate time to reflection.

It is in our hands to stop captivating us with neon lights. Let’s be cautious, analytical and patient, because among all this density of information, there are always interesting facts and even people who are worth paying attention to. Let’s train our attention and critical gaze.

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