The attention span myth, claiming humans now focus for only 8 seconds, arose from a misinterpreted 2015 Microsoft Canada report. This report cited dubious statistics from an unreliable source, which were then amplified by media outlets seeking sensational headlines. The myth persists due to its seeming plausibility in our digital age and its memorable comparison to goldfish. It feeds into existing anxieties about technology's impact on cognition, making it feel intuitively true. Despite being debunked by researchers who traced its origins and found no scientific basis, the myth continues to be cited in marketing, education, and popular media. Its longevity demonstrates how easily misinformation can spread and take root when it aligns with cultural concerns and preconceptions.
top of page
Recent Posts
See AllIn this digital age, the news we’re being fed is only getting more extreme. In the old days, journalists didn’t know much about their...
00
"If there is one powerful thing that self-actualizing people have learned to do, it’s to control where they place their attention. They...
00
In today's digital age, attention health is crucial. Our brains are wired to seek novel stimuli, but constant digital distractions can...
00
bottom of page
Comments