​Have you ever started with a single scoop of ice cream and found yourself unable to stop until you've finished the entire carton? Ultra-processed foods are designed for convenience and stimulation, often leading to overconsumption and negative health effects.

​People these days check their phones an average of 58 times a day, touching them 2,600 times and spending 3 hours and 15 minutes, often unaware of their addictive behaviour. Short-form content and game designs are strategically crafted to 'engage' users, and their impact resembles how ultra-processed foods affect our health. Oxford Word of the Year 2024, ‘Brain Rot,’ shows how our mental and intellectual states are being threatened by a new style of content overconsumption.

​We will delve into the reasons behind these phenomena and their impacts from diverse areas of study. Finally, we will propose solutions for both discerning consumers and ethically conscious information architects to navigate the seductive world of addictive media consumption and production.

​Speaker bio:

​Soyeon is currently the UX Director at Mirum Hong Kong, a WPP company based in Hong Kong. With over 18 years of design experience, she has collaborated with renowned companies and clients such as Sony, Cathay Pacific, Urban Outfitters, BMW, HKEX, and many others. Soyeon has actively contributed to the IA community for over a decade, curating meetups including World IA Hong Kong. Her passion lies in crafting sustainable and impactful designs that enrich the lives of customers, colleagues, and friends.

​​Follow Soyeon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soyeonlee-theuxer/