The attention span of a.... ooh look, a squirrel!

**dahamsta** · 13/10/2007, 12:45 PM

I'm sure many of you wouldn't classify this as a current affair, but it is a social problem that's just getting worse as far as I can see. Email, forums and the web in general have definitely shortened my attention span, but the likes of Twitter and the awful social networking sites like Bebo and MySpace have taken an even worse toll on the kiddywinkies. Here's two example:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055164809
Read posts #1 and #3. Poster #3 didn't read beyond the title.

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055164831
Poster #2 didn't read beyond the second third of post #1.

These are just two examples that popped up today, they're not the sole reason I'm posting, they're just triggers. It happens all the time, and it gets worse and worse. I even do it myself from time to time, as I'm sure you're aware, and find myself having to apologise later.

I've two questions. First of all, do other people think this is a problem or is it just my imagination; or do people see it and think it's not actually a big problem. Secondly, if you do see it and do think it's a problem, what can we do about it?

adam

**superfrank** · 13/10/2007, 1:23 PM

I get easily distracted. I mean right now I'm supposed to be practising my typing.

I'm also absent-minded about important things. I once got a girlfriend's birthday confused with an ex's.

Though I tend to remember unimportant things.

I think it could be partly because of all the telly and computer use everyone in developed countries has these days. I know this can damage your eyes and surely it's not good for your brain either.

As a budding young hack (and journalistic snob), I'd also blame the tabloids. They're all about grabbing attention and a lot of their main articles are just taken up with big photos.

It could also be linked to the dumbing down of society.

**dahamsta** · 13/10/2007, 1:45 PM

The telly is certainly a factor, but I think the Internet is really to blame for taking it to the level it's at now. Certainly in Ireland anyway. In America they progressed along the road to ad breaks every ten minutes a lot quicker than we did. We're there now, but I'd blame t'internet for that. Of course texting is another factor.

adam

**cheifo** · 13/10/2007, 1:47 PM

I have ADD.I scored 20 for thoroughness(attn to detail) in a test.Average person is 100.Its a pain in the arse.Whether someone can develop a short attn span from living in the modern enviorment I dont know.I know with kids, diet is important hence the marketing of omega 3 etc.We have so much choice now that people dont spend time to process information in the same way from Newspapers and other media unless a particular subject is of interest.
I am also sceptical about the dumbing down of the curriculum.For instance
my sister who is an English teacher told me her students are studying Inside I am Dancing(the film).Good wee film but if I was tbh I would prefer kids to be studying the classics.I have no evidence to suggest this gives young wans a better mindset but I find it hard to believe it would'nt be more beneficial in the long term.
On the bright side kids like my nieces love book stories and I recall reading somewhere that reading fiction improves both memory and attn span.

**strangeirish** · 13/10/2007, 4:35 PM

And this one time, at band camp...

The telly is certainly a factor, but I think the Internet is really to blame for taking it to the level it's at now. Certainly in Ireland anyway. In America they progressed along the road to ad breaks every ten minutes a lot quicker than we did. We're there now, but I'd blame t'internet for that. Of course texting is another factor.

Have to agree with this and you can throw in MTV as a specific telly factor, amongst the multitude of other tripe on the airwaves.

Now, I have to go ride my bike.

Seriously though, I do see it as a problem, specifically younger people in the work force( 20 somethings) not being focused on the task at hand. As the US is near full employment, the consequences of losing a job are not as severe as they used to be. I can only speak for my little part of the world, but I now see the gap between the younger and older generations closing, in regards to this issue. The problem of finding a 'cure' will, if not already, become a delicate issue. I'm open to suggestions.

**jebus** · 13/10/2007, 6:59 PM

I think the main problem the internet has thrown up is that everyone has an opinion on everything, and think they should be allowed speak whenever they feel like it. It's not lack of an attention span that the internet has brought on, it's more of a disregard for anhyone's opinion. I mean how can someone be expected to care or listen to what you have to say about rip off Ireland/Darfur/animal welfare/football/etc. when they have sat through a hundred conversations on the internet on it already? Everyone feels that reading and posting in threads on certain topics make them an authority on the matter these days, so why bother hearing anyone out?

**pete** · 14/10/2007, 1:43 PM

Multitasking...

At work try to write email, talk to colleague at work, text on skype to colleague in different office & reply to foot.ie post & remember what you typing... It would explain lack of proof reading in my posts too

**Cymro** · 15/10/2007, 10:21 AM

Internet forums have really lowered my capacity to concentrate on everyday things. Usually I appear to be listening to my boss/mate etc, but my mind is a million miles away thinking about some debate I posted in a few hours ago.

**Dodge** · 15/10/2007, 10:28 AM

Paul,

As discussed. Please find attached speadsheet.

Regards,

**pineapple stu** · 15/10/2007, 12:50 PM

Nothing attached, Dodge.

There was a Mexican wave started with ten minutes to go in the Ireland Germany game. Ten minutes, we need a win to have any chance of prolonging the inevitable, we're starting to push forward and create chances, and a load of morons start a Mexican Wave?! If a game of football can't hold the attention of football fans, the world is in trouble...

**Dodge** · 15/10/2007, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If a game of football can't hold the attention of football fans, the world is in trouble...

You're assuming they're football fans

**pineapple stu** · 15/10/2007, 1:02 PM

Touché...

**Newryrep** · 15/10/2007, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

There was a Mexican wave started with ten minutes to go in the Ireland Germany game. Ten minutes, we need a win to have any chance of prolonging the inevitable, we're starting to push forward and create chances, and a load of morons start a Mexican Wave?! If a game of football can't hold the attention of football fans, the world is in trouble...

What the hell do people expect at an Ireland game- entertainment ?, if they want to be entertained go to the cinema/theatre/races/circus etc (delete as necessary) Dont go to an Ireland game expecting to see Italy/Brasil 82 and then start a mexican wave because you are bored/disinterested.

Given that at least 50% of the crowd joined in - it is infuriating

What the hell do players like Dunne and Given think when this happens - 'i am busting a gut here and half these people are tossers who dont give a flying ****

**dahamsta** · 15/10/2007, 3:05 PM

Sorry, but someone has to say it:

When you put football in a class other than "entertainment", you seriously need to get a life.

EDIT: Unless you're actually involved in the business of football. Even then, far too many people have ideas above their station. Football and all other sports, from rugby to tiddlywinks, are entertainment by definition. Yes, the same "entertainment" that included cinema, theatre, races, circus, etc. Ask the board of the biggest football clubs in the world where they categorise their businesses if you don't believe me.

adam

**Dodge** · 15/10/2007, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Sorry, but someone has to say it:

When you put football in a class other than "entertainment", you seriously need to get a life.

EDIT: Unless you're actually involved in the business of football. Even then, far too many people have ideas above their station. Football and all other sports, from rugby to tiddlywinks, are entertainment by definition. Yes, the same "entertainment" that included cinema, theatre, races, circus, etc. Ask the board of the biggest football clubs in the world where they categorise their businesses if you don't believe me.

How many years running the football site and you still don't get it?

**dahamsta** · 15/10/2007, 3:14 PM

Ten. What's not to get? What category would you put it in? It's sport ffs.

(I'd argue that I get it a lot better than some of the people on Foot.ie. There's a minority there that seriously need to go out and get laid.)

adam

**John83** · 15/10/2007, 3:20 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

I'm sure many of you wouldn't classify this as a current affair, but it is a social problem that's just getting worse as far as I can see. Email, forums and the web in general have definitely shortened my attention span, but the likes of Twitter and the awful social networking sites like Bebo and MySpace have taken an even worse toll on the kiddywinkies. Here's two example:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055164809
Read posts #1 and #3. Poster #3 didn't read beyond the title.

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055164831
Poster #2 didn't read beyond the second third of post #1.

These are just two examples that popped up today, they're not the sole reason I'm posting, they're just triggers. It happens all the time, and it gets worse and worse. I even do it myself from time to time, as I'm sure you're aware, and find myself having to apologise later.

I've two questions. First of all, do other people think this is a problem or is it just my imagination; or do people see it and think it's not actually a big problem. Secondly, if you do see it and do think it's a problem, what can we do about it?

adam

I heard that the grey squirrel population is encroaching on that of the red squirrel. People are concerned. I haven't read anything about it though, but there was a pretty map in the newspaper. I forget which one.

**John83** · 15/10/2007, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Ten. What's not to get? What category would you put it in? It's sport ffs.

(I'd argue that I get it a lot better than some of the people on Foot.ie. There's a minority there that seriously need to get out and get laid.)

adam

A minority is less than half Adam.

Anyway, yes it's a big problem, and I've done it myself. The other day I had it pointed out to me here by Kingdom Hoop. Now, that particular Anto's on my ignore list (I forget why), but I still should have picked it up.

I find that it's far worse on a computer, where I'm accustomed to scrolling down through a large document, picking out stuff. I nearly have to print out an academic paper to be able to read it thoroughly - I'll can't focus properly on an electronic version. Conversely, I've a decent attention span

Why is that? Is it habit, or a physiological thing? If it's habit, we need to look at how young people learn to use computers. If it's physiological, the ball's in Sony and co's court.

Pete's correct about the multi-tasking. Computers let us 'do' a lot more things at once than we're actually efficient at doing.

**Newryrep** · 15/10/2007, 3:45 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Sorry, but someone has to say it:

When you put football in a class other than "entertainment", you seriously need to get a life.adam

I do class it as entertainment i just dont expect to be entertained at an Ireland game

Next time you are at the cinema/circus etc and you are bored/disinterested/couldnt be bothered and you dont want to walk out, try starting a mexican wave .

**dahamsta** · 15/10/2007, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

I do class it as entertainment i just dont expect to be entertained at an Ireland game

LOL

Next time you are at the cinema/circus etc and you are bored/disinterested/couldnt be bothered and you dont want to walk out, try starting a mexican wave .

I might actually do that. Bit tricky in the cinema though, I reckon.