The Psychology of 'Too Much'
There’s a name for this very modern problem: the paradox of choice. First detailed by psychologist Barry Schwartz, the theory argues that while having some options is good, having too many can be debilitating. Instead of feeling liberated by endless possibilities,
our brains get stuck in a state of constant comparison. Every potential choice is weighed against countless alternatives, creating anxiety that we might pick the “wrong” one. This can lead to what’s known as choice paralysis, where the sheer volume of options makes it easier to choose nothing at all. The nightly ritual of scrolling endlessly through streaming services before giving up is a classic example of this phenomenon in action.
How the Streaming Wars Built Our Content Prison
This psychological quirk has been supercharged by the television industry. In the race for subscribers, every streaming platform and network is locked in an arms race of content. The traditional fall TV season, once a relatively straightforward affair with a few dozen new and returning shows on major networks, has exploded. Now, it’s a year-round, multi-platform onslaught. Dozens of new and returning series are dropping across broadcast, cable, and a half-dozen major streaming services between September and November alone. Each service needs a constant flow of buzzworthy premieres to attract new subscribers and, more importantly, prevent existing ones from canceling. This has created an environment of overwhelming abundance, turning what should be a golden age of television into a source of low-grade stress for many.
The Hidden Costs of Infinite Choice
The consequences of this content flood are twofold. For viewers, the potential for satisfaction actually decreases. When you finally do pick a show, your brain is more likely to wonder about all the other shows you didn't pick, leading to a sense of vague disappointment or buyer’s remorse. For the industry, it means that even brilliant shows can get lost in the noise. With so many series premiering simultaneously, a new show has only a tiny window to capture an audience before the next big thing arrives. This firehose of content contributes directly to viewer fatigue, a growing issue where audiences feel overwhelmed by the number of platforms and shows they are expected to keep up with. Surveys show a significant portion of viewers are canceling services simply because they feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume.
Surviving the Great Content Flood
So, what’s the solution? It’s not about finding a magic app to organize your watchlist. It’s about a mental shift. The key is to embrace the idea that you are going to miss out on good television—and that’s okay. You simply cannot watch everything. Instead of trying to find the single “best” show, try aiming for “good enough.” Trust a recommendation from a friend whose taste you share. Pick a genre you reliably enjoy and explore it for a while. Or, go back to an old favorite. The goal is to escape the paralysis of optimization and rediscover the simple pleasure of being entertained. After a long day, the purpose of television isn't to make another exhausting decision; it's to provide a moment of comfort and escape.
