People in a modern time seem paralyzed. Why might this be?

Today's order requires surviving a gauntlet of choices: Latte or Americano? Flavored or plain? Cream and sugar? Small, medium or large? And the list goes on.

New research shows that such daily decisions eat up limited mental resources, ultimately rendering our self-control into mush. Which means making too many decisions might be why many people can't stick to a diet, finish a big project or even complete simple daily tasks.

"It's a strange paradox because human beings are drawn to choice," said study co-author Kathleen Vohs, a marketing professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. "We love having more
choices, but at the same time the human psyche is easily overcome by them."

http://www.livescience.com/health/080418-too-many-choices.html

This view of the study shows us that the same decisions, day after day, wear us down. Often, we'd prefer to have fewer options, because these decisions don't matter as far as our effectiveness goes. They don't even make us all that happy, our coffee choices (and other trivia).

Study author Kathleen D. Vohs, PhD, of the University of Minnesota's marketing department, and researchers from several other universities have determined that making choices, as opposed to just thinking about options, can be mentally draining. Those with too many choices -- good or bad -- have trouble remembering to take their medicine and staying focused on everyday tasks.

The findings are based on seven experiments designed to test how the simple act of choosing or not choosing influences a person's ability to remain focused and productive.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20080418/too_many_choices_exhaust_the_brain

The above summation gives us a better view: choice-making itself wears us out. If we can make 20 good choices a day, and we have to make 50, maybe that overloads us. And certainly our exhausted society looks overloaded.