Information Diet Framework

The information diet framework (Clay Johnson) applies nutritional principles to information consumption: the information economy produces cheap, attention-grabbing content causing 'information obesity'—simultaneously overstimulated and poorly informed. Recommendations: reduce quantity (daily information budgets), improve quality (primary sources and long-form analysis over hot takes), diversify sources (avoid ideological monocultures), produce more than you consume (creating forces deeper processing), and 'eat locally' (prioritize information about your sphere of influence over global outrage you can't affect). The parallel: sugar is to food as outrage is to information—stimulating, satisfying, and long-term harmful.

When to use it

When feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or poorly informed despite consuming large amounts of media. When information consumption is displacing productive work or genuine rest. When wanting to design a more intentional relationship with news and social media. When quality of thinking seems to be degrading despite quantity of information input.

How it can help

Set an information budget: limit news to 30 minutes daily from 2-3 quality sources at scheduled times. Replace scrolling with books building cumulative knowledge. Follow the 'local information' principle: spend more time understanding your neighborhood and industry than following distant events you can't influence. Track your diet for one week—most people discover they consume the informational equivalent of junk food.