Dust of the Screen: When the Mind Disappeared in the Data Storm

In a world overflowing with digital noise, what happens when the human mind forgets how to think outside the screen? Yassin, a thirty-something freelance designer, once lived a life of quiet balance—creative work, morning runs, deep conversations, and books he actually finished. But when his career pushes him into the realm of social media marketing, he crosses an invisible line between using technology and being consumed by it. At first, the algorithm seems like a helpful friend—curating trends, offering exposure, even delivering praise through likes and shares. But gradually, his attention thins, his sleep breaks, his sense of time blurs. The world outside fades while the digital feed takes center stage. What began as a tool becomes a trap. Told with haunting realism and a minimalist, cinematic voice, Dust of the Screen is a psychological tech-drama about the slow erosion of self in a hyperconnected age. As Yassin spirals through a digital storm of comparison, overstimulation, and identity loss, he faces one central question: Can the human mind reclaim its clarity in a world designed to fragment it? This is a story for creators, thinkers, and anyone who has ever felt mentally scattered after "just five more minutes" online. A fusion of cyberpunk atmosphere and inner monologue, this novella reflects the modern tragedy of attention collapse—where the mind is still online, but the soul has logged out.