Open Loop Overwhelm (OLO): A Framework for Signal Density and Task Paralysis

Open Loop Overwhelm (OLO) is a neurofunctional state characterized by the mechanical collapse of task initiation due to an excess of unresolved environmental, cognitive, and relational signals. Unlike general stress, OLO specifically describes a system-state failure where signal density exceeds the individual’s processing capacity for salience assignment. This paper defines the taxonomy of "Open Loops," explores the mechanism of "Attention Scanning" paralysis, and proposes OLO as the primary environmental load condition that may trigger Volitional Dysregulation with Cognitive Preservation (VDCP) (Pines, 2026b).