Rethinking Decisions in the Age of Noise: Insights from Emily Pabst
Episode #0035
Ever feel like you’re drowning in information but starved for clarity? That’s exactly what Emily Pabst, founder of Remake The Rules, tackles head-on. On our recent podcast, she unpacked the dizzying landscape of decision making today—how “choice tech,” overwhelming data, and relentless digital noise shape our lives in ways we barely realize.
From Small Town Roots to Big Ideas
Emily grew up in a town that might sound like any other(Columbia, Missouri) but it gave her a unique vantage point. Surrounded by a mixed community, she absorbed early lessons in independence and the rhythms of local life. Turns out, growing up in such an environment can plant the seeds for questioning rules and eventually, remaking them.
She’s a thinker who likes to unsettle: “I enjoy art that upsets my brain,” she told us. That feeling of being challenged, seeing the world sideways, is what fuels her work today.
The Problem with Too Much Choice
In a world flooded with options, Emily says the modern human is beset by “choice fatigue.” It’s no wonder, between countless digital tools, endless content feeds, and social media nudges, making even simple decisions can sap our energy. The irony? More data doesn’t always mean better choices.
What’s worse, many are led to trust opaque algorithms and apps that claim to help but instead shape desires for commercial gain, often without our knowledge. Emily calls this the “digital shaping” of decisions, where companies optimize for their profits rather than our wellbeing.
Navigating Technology Without Losing Yourself
Emily’s mission is not to preach tech avoidance but to empower smarter interaction. It’s about reclaiming agency in a hyperconnected age. “It’s about understanding when to conserve decision energy and when to dive deep,” she explains. Some choices like business strategy or relationships deserve mindful reflection, while others, like what to eat tonight, may not.
Her approach balances practical tools with philosophical reflection, helping individuals and leaders wrest control back from runaway technology and information overload.
The Institutional Maze and The Human Element
Before founding Remake The Rules, Emily worked within government, systems courts, public service, where she observed firsthand the complexity and sometimes opacity of institutional decision making. The road to change is slow and fraught with entrenched rules and vested interests, yet that’s essential to avoid rash disruptions.
She stresses the importance of questioning who designs rules, for whose benefit, and how power dynamics tilt access. Institutions wield massive influence, but the vast majority don’t have easy access or understanding of the data powering decisions.
Real People, Real Struggles
Emily shared stories from her work with small business owners feeling crushed under the tsunami of tech solutions promising salvation. Many don’t need every shiny tool thrown their way; they need grounded guidance tailored to their capacity and goals.
The challenge is translating complex tech into usable insight without destroying joy or autonomy. It’s an ongoing process, requiring flexibility, patience, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
Advice for The Confused and Overwhelmed
If you’re drowning in data or feeling controlled by algorithms, Emily’s advice is to tune in to your embodied experience. Ask: what’s real anxiety based on life circumstances, and what’s the product of relentless information bombardment? Recognize the difference, and you can start making decisions aligned with your true goals, not someone else’s agenda.
She emphasizes the need for collaborative cultural shifts alongside individual reorientation—a shared journey in the evolving digital age.
Final Thoughts: A Call to Remake Our Rules
Emily’s vision is both hopeful and realistic. We live in a world where information flows faster than ever, but human cognition and culture adapt slower. The trick isn’t to reject technology but to remake our rules for living with it, rules that put people back in the driver’s seat.
If you want to explore more about navigating noisy decision landscapes or her work with data-driven decision tools, check out Remake The Rules online.
Because at the end of the day, the real goal is to spend less time overwhelmed and more time living, on our terms.
Connect with Emily Pabst:
🌐 Website: remaketherules.com
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/remaketherules
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/remaketherules
