To quote the sociologist Jennifer Walters:^[1]

"The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine".^[2]

Chaos and crisis push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to resist.

This isn't just politics as usual - it's a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.

Media theorist McLuhan predicted this: When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged.^[3]

The rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck.

Citizens and media can't analyze any single policy before another takes its place.

Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention, it fragments public discourse.

The result?

Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement.

What Now?

1. Set boundaries: Focus on 2-3 key issues. You can't track everything - that's by design.
2. Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who explain patterns, not just events.
3. Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. Recognizing this gives you power.
4. Practice going slow: Wait 48 hours before reacting. Initial reports miss context.
5. Build community: Share the cognitive load. Network intelligence beats overload."