Sensationalism Has Us Feeling Numb

Or, "See sensationalism get DEMOLISHED in this post!"

Photo by Dustin Tramel on Unsplash

It’s difficult to avoid the feeling of inadequacy on the internet. Our current zeitgeist is a Frankensteinian creation. It is constructed with hyperbole, vanity, and volume. If you’re not pretending to be the best, you’d better be your opponent’s loudest critic. Don’t say that something is merely good, say it’s the best. Don’t say, “That’s a good point,” say, “They DESTROYED the other person!” Ours is a time and place where exaggeration is intoxicating and reality is rather boring.

After all, how do you stand out in a stream of endless content? My teenage son asked if I thought it’d be possible to watch every video on a social media platform. I guessed “no” because I didn’t think you could even keep up with it. I was kind of right, and yet not even close. According to one estimate, 500 hours of video was uploaded to YouTube every minute in 2022.¹ I can’t imagine what AI usage is doing to that figure in 2025.

This is where sensationalism comes in. Algorithms reward the content that receives attention and engagement. This is what Mr. Beast figured out early on. Here is how he puts it in a sample scenario, “What you’re saying is, ‘I like bananas.’ What you need is, ‘bananas are the BEST *** ****** food on the planet.’” And, if you want to get clicks, he’s right. (And admittedly, there’s a big part of me that hates it.)

For the most part, I’ve found Substack to be one of the rare exceptions. I see so many great writers serving and growing their audiences, without many of the entrapments of other social media platforms. With that said, in an attention market with distractions at every corner, it’s the sensational that will thrive far and wide. As with most media, you go far with good content and really far with the neon lights of sensationalism.

Yet the problem of sensationalism is not “out there” in the mysterious ether of the algorithm. The algorithm only serves us a plate of our own desires. At the end of the day, if I’m receiving a lot of divisive political videos, it’s likely because I was doomscrolling political videos. Our hearts are in need of calibration. It takes discipline and refinement to feed our souls with nutritious food.

And friend, I’m sorry to say that I can only offer you what roughly resembles old meatloaf. For starters, I need to continue working on my craft. Even with that, I may never hit the jackpot at sensationalism’s casino. I will probably not go viral (unless you SMASH that restack button right now!!!). And, while I’m pretty happy with this arrangement, I can’t help wondering if I am doing it right or not.

While I do like a creative title, should I exaggerate my claim? Or, stir up some controversy? I’ve found myself in a war for attention that I’d rather not participate in.

I do hope that I can rest in the God who made me. And that you can rest in the God who made you. And that our little band will enjoy each other’s work, even when we’re boring. I think that’s better than the alternative.

1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/259477/hours-of-video-uploaded-to-youtube-every-minute/