In the digital world that consumes us today, it has been suggested that such instant access to media has lead to shorter attention spans amidst users. An article by Vator News suggests that shorter attention spans are the result of the instant age that we live in. Information is truly only a click away, as just about any information can be obtained on Google in seconds. Sports scores, news updates, and just about any type of media is readily available on smartphones and requires little time of effort to acquire. This world of instant poses a strong point supporting shrinking attention spans, but doesn't make it fact. In a study conducted by Visible Measures, 20% of people abandon an online video within 20 seconds, and nearly half of viewers abandon by the end of the first minute. Could statistics such as these allude to the fact that digital media is causing consumers to have shorter attention spans? Are we destined to bounce from video to article to blog to television faster than a goldfish forgets the glass wall it most recently swam into? I think a study conducted on a college campus could help determine whether or not these claims are true. 
First, a survey would have to be created and distributed, focusing on whether or not students are avid users of digital media such as Twitter, Facebook, online blogs, and various other forms of digital media. This way, a population sample could be assembled consisting of those most involved with digital media, as well as those who aren't. Once a survey population of 100 students is created, (50 avid digital media consumers, and 50 non) the study can continue.
The next step would be to set up a testing environment that can help produce some statistics on the attention span of these students. All students, regardless of their digital media tendencies, would be subjected to the same tests, all designed to determine attention spans.
The first test would be to talk to each of the 100 students about a relatively boring topic (accounting maybe?), and see if the students check their phones mid-conversation. From personal experiences, I notice many people I talk to glance at their phone multiple times throughout the conversation, including myself when others talk to me. Statistics will be recorded to determine if there is any more likelihood that the digital media savvy students check their phones more often, demonstrating a shorter attention span.
The second would be an internet browsing test. Each student would be asked to spend 20 minutes on the internet, doing whatever they please. The students would be monitored, and it would be determined how many times each student switched web sites. Statistics would be assembled based on how many times the avid media users switched sites versus the non-users, and this would help to observe the student's attention spans. If the the frequent digital media users are found to switch sites far more often, this may allude to the fact that their attention spans are shorter.
Simple tests such as these can help determine whether or not digital media is causing people to have a shorter attention span. In a world where this media is growing exponentially, one can only hope that goldfish never have a longer attention span than humans.
Feel free to leave any comments, questions, or concerns!
Tyler, I really enjoyed your post, as it is a constant and relevant topic when referring to the high-speed advancement in technology! Personally, I feel myself clicking from link to link and losing focus and interest in what's on my computer screen very quickly. With the advancement of smart phones and their “notification” center, it seems as though you hit the nail on the head with your observation that people rarely ever have interactions in which a phone is not taken out. Matter of fact, I believe that in today's age, people are actually becoming uncomfortable with just facing someone and having conversation WITHOUT even taking a glace at their cell phone. Doesn’t it feel weird to even leave your room or apartment without your iPhone!? I also agree with your proposition for a test in order to get results regarding this attention span issue. After reading your post, I searched the Internet and found a blog post that is similar to yours. In Elias’ blog post “The internet is making us stupid,” (http://cognitivenerve.com/2012/09/11/the-internet-is-making-us-stupid/) Elias points to a test that was actually conducted to draw parallels between his perceived decline in attention span and his increase in internet use. In fact, the test actually shows that those subjects that were tech savvy had higher brain function while surfing the Internet. However, brain activity isn’t always the best thing. He continues to show research studies that hypothesize that “We’re exercising the neural circuits devoted to skimming and multitasking while ignoring those used for reading and thinking deeply.” Are we as a people getting more stupid? I sure hope not! Thanks for the read; I’ll definitely be picking up a book a little more in an attempt to get smart again!
ReplyDeleteBefore touching base on this topic I never really thought to think that my Internet browsing had anything to do with my attention span. Im always jumping from site to site when browsing the web. I also am constantly at my phone, and wouldn't be surprised if I'm one of those people that are checking their phones during a conversation. I also agree with Adam when he states that you rarely have interactions in which the phone is not taken out. You can also definitely agree with the fact that people are becoming more uncomfortable doing things in person rather then over their iPhone. But can we for sure draw a conclusion that your attention span is lessened from the rapid social media and Internet usage. But, to say were getting stupid is a tough statement to make. I don't believe were getting more stupid, i just believe that people are relying on technology more and more.
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