Junk Content

A term analogous to "junk food," describing media designed to capture and hold attention through high-stimulus, low-value elements. Just as junk food is engineered for immediate sensory pleasure but lacks nutritional value, junk content provides instant gratification and emotional engagement but is deficient in depth, educational value, or long-term significance. Over time, consistent consumption of junk content can have detrimental effects on cognitive and emotional well-being, much like the negative health outcomes associated with a diet high in junk food.

OpenAI. (2024). Definition and Characteristics of Junk Content. Retrieved from OpenAI's GPT-4.

"Ever since I started consuming more junk content, I've found it harder to focus on reading books or engaging in thoughtful conversations; my attention span seems to be shrinking."