All In The Mind The fight for focus in a world of distraction
22 snips
Jan 3, 2026 
Gloria Mark, PhD, a leading researcher on digital distraction, and Dr. Emma Fitzgerald, a clinical neuropsychologist, delve into the chaos of modern attention spans. They reveal alarming data showing attention has plummeted from 2.5 minutes to about 47 seconds! Hear Emma’s personal battle with increasing distractibility and Gloria's insights on media multitasking among kids. They debunk myths about focus, emphasizing that constant attention is unrealistic. Practical strategies for regaining control and taking effective breaks are shared, making this discussion a must-listen!
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Neuropsychologist Struggles To Read
- Emma Fitzgerald noticed she suddenly struggled to finish books she loved and it took months instead of weeks.
- That loss of reading stamina prompted her to examine her own distraction patterns.
Attention Has Shrunken Dramatically
- Gloria Mark's long-term studies show average screen attention dropped from 2.5 minutes to ~47 seconds over two decades.
- Rapid attention switching correlates with higher physiological stress during work.
Switching Tied To Stress, Not Just Hunch
- Short attention spans are not just anecdote but replicated by multiple studies using tracking software.
- Faster switching may be linked with stress, though causality is unclear.
