The Overstimulator

In today’s society, people are constantly consuming digital media at an accelerating pace. Social media platforms, short videos, and algorithm driven feeds are designed to maximize engagement, often at the cost of attention, awareness, and intentional use. Our project, “The Overstimulator,” explores the overwhelming feeling of scrolling and the psychological effects of mindless digital consumption through visual and behavioral feedback. Our project simulates the experience of “endless scrolling” and gradually transforms it into a state of overstimulation. The user can interact with the stimulator through scrolling, mimicking the natural gesture of scrolling on a social media platform. Depending on how fast the user scrolls, the system will track their input and translate it into a consumption level of how fast and how much overwhelming the screen appears. At low levels of interaction, the interface is calm and minimal. As the user continues to engage, the system will begin to introduce increasingly chaotic visual elements. Squares of all colors and sizes flood the screen, making the experience feel overwhelming. These elements will be used to evoke the feeling of overstimulation and losing control. When the user maxes out on the consumption level, a message pops up alerting the user that they are scrolling too fast. A key aspect of this experience is the reversal of this state. Unlike traditional interfaces that reward constant interaction, this project encourages stillness. When the user is stopping the interaction or slows their movement, it gradually reduces the consumption level, going back to visual clarity and calmness. This creates a moment of reflection, which will allow the user to become aware of their behavior and its consequences.