Elon Musk said short videos are harmful to thinking

Elon Musk commented on the influence of modern digital formats on human thinking while answering a journalist’s question about which invention, in his view, made humanity worse rather than better. As an example, he pointed to short video clips that have become widespread on social networks and media platforms in recent years.

According to Musk, this type of content negatively affects people’s ability to engage in focused and sequential thinking. He noted that short videos cultivate a habit of rapid information consumption without deeper engagement, which over time may reduce the capacity for analysis and understanding of complex ideas.

Musk drew attention to the fact that digital platform algorithms actively promote brief and emotionally charged content, encouraging an endless stream of viewing. In his assessment, this model fosters superficial attention and reduces interest in sustained intellectual effort, including reading, learning, and thoughtful discussion.

The remarks were made amid ongoing debates about the impact of social networks and digital services on cognitive processes. Short videos have become one of the dominant formats in the online space, especially among younger audiences, which has raised concerns among some representatives of the technology industry and the research community.

Musk has previously spoken repeatedly about risks associated with digital platforms, including content addiction and the influence of algorithms on user behavior. In this case, he focused specifically on the format of information delivery rather than individual services or companies, emphasizing the systemic nature of the problem.

In expert circles, a possible link between the popularity of short video clips and changes in attention structure and information perception is also being discussed. Researchers are examining how constant switching between fragments of content affects memory, concentration, and the ability to sustain prolonged mental work.

Thus, Elon Musk’s comment became part of a broader discussion about the consequences of digitalization and the role of technological solutions in shaping the thinking of modern society. His position reflects growing doubts about whether technological progress always leads to improvements in quality of life and intellectual development.