220. Is Your Attention Span Shrinking?
No Stupid Questions
Deep Dive
Why do people believe that attention spans are shrinking?
Many attribute the perceived decline in attention spans to the abundance of distractions like phones, the internet, and social media. However, some argue that while the environment has changed, human attention spans remain the same, but are simply spread across more stimuli.
What is the 'goldfish attention span' statistic?
In 2015, a widely circulated statistic claimed that human attention spans had dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds in 2015, which was less than a goldfish's 9-second span. This statistic was later debunked as it originated from a non-academic source and was not based on credible research.
How has technology influenced attention spans according to Gloria Mark?
Gloria Mark's research suggests that attention spans have shrunk over the past two decades. In her studies, the average time spent on a computer screen decreased from about 2.5 minutes two decades ago to just over a minute around 10 years ago.
What was Quibi's business model and why did it fail?
Quibi was a short-form mobile streaming platform that offered high-quality videos under 10 minutes, based on the assumption that attention spans were shrinking. It raised $2 billion but shut down after six months due to poor user engagement, competition, and limitations like being mobile-only.
What does Neil Bradbury's research say about student attention spans during lectures?
Neil Bradbury's literature review found no evidence supporting the idea that student attention spans are limited to 10-15 minutes. Instead, he discovered that the variability in attention is more dependent on the teacher's ability to engage students rather than the format of the lecture.
What does a recent study from 1990-2021 reveal about attention spans?
A study analyzing data from 287 samples across 32 countries found no decline in attention spans over 31 years. In fact, adults showed improved attention span performance on tasks like the D2 test of attention, contradicting the popular belief of shrinking attention spans.
Why does Herb Simon argue that information abundance leads to attention scarcity?
Herb Simon stated that in an information-rich world, the wealth of information creates a scarcity of attention, as people must allocate their limited attention efficiently among an overwhelming number of information sources.
How does the 'Light Phone' help users manage their attention?
The Light Phone is designed to reduce distractions by excluding internet browsers and social media apps, allowing users to focus on essential functions like calls and alarms. This minimalist approach helps users avoid the constant pull of digital distractions.
What does Nicholas Carr's analogy of 'jet skiing' versus 'scuba diving' mean?
Nicholas Carr uses the analogy to describe how modern consumption habits often involve quickly skimming through information (jet skiing) rather than deeply engaging with it (scuba diving). This reflects a shift toward superficial engagement with content due to the abundance of distractions.
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