Comments on: Does the Web Decrease Attention Span? http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-the-web-decrease-attention-span Economics; Travel; Film; and Technology. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:31:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: andrewferrier http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12899 andrewferrier Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:10:16 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12899 Books, agreed, I have the same problem. As I say, I wonder if this is an indication that most books are simply too long (as with you, I'd assert I often grasp the point quickly). Whether that extra detail is useful is another question. Internet and libraries: I'm not sure I have enough data to comment. What I am sure about is that I haven't been in a library in years :) Books, agreed, I have the same problem. As I say, I wonder if this is an indication that most books are simply too long (as with you, I’d assert I often grasp the point quickly). Whether that extra detail is useful is another question.

Internet and libraries: I’m not sure I have enough data to comment. What I am sure about is that I haven’t been in a library in years :)

]]> By: Ella Gale http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12893 Ella Gale Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:52:40 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12893 I often get very annoyed with myself, I buy all these non-fiction books, like history books, science, travel that sort of thing and I always read them in the same way. I get really into them ,devour about 1/2 - 3/4 of the book, then just suddenly stop. I find it a real struggle to finish. (Currently I'm half way through a book about photography, a book about travelling across the desert and 75 % of way through a book about religion in the UK). Over time I've come to console myself that this is due to my ability to absorb the main idea quickly and not need the summing up chapters rather than a lack of constancy. (Though which it is, I don't know). I don't think this is a result of the internet. Since the creation of public libraries, people have had access to cheap and plentiful information. But I think the difference with the internet is that you can get the information faster, there's no need for a walk to and around a library. And, unless the writer is really good, you don't care about their summing up on the subject, when you can instead read 20 people's versions and the source-material giving you a more balenced view. As for attention span, it has been said somewhere that access to computer's makes you more intelligent (Because, children are getting more stimulation, the more mental stimulation, the better trained the brain). If you are intelligent enough to absorb information faster than a waffly book will present it to you, you will be bored. I personally hate some of the documentary t.v. shows I've seen because they present the information in too little detail and too slowly, compared to what I could get on the net. I often get very annoyed with myself, I buy all these non-fiction books, like history books, science, travel that sort of thing and I always read them in the same way. I get really into them ,devour about 1/2 – 3/4 of the book, then just suddenly stop. I find it a real struggle to finish. (Currently I’m half way through a book about photography, a book about travelling across the desert and 75 % of way through a book about religion in the UK). Over time I’ve come to console myself that this is due to my ability to absorb the main idea quickly and not need the summing up chapters rather than a lack of constancy. (Though which it is, I don’t know).

I don’t think this is a result of the internet. Since the creation of public libraries, people have had access to cheap and plentiful information. But I think the difference with the internet is that you can get the information faster, there’s no need for a walk to and around a library. And, unless the writer is really good, you don’t care about their summing up on the subject, when you can instead read 20 people’s versions and the source-material giving you a more balenced view.

As for attention span, it has been said somewhere that access to computer’s makes you more intelligent (Because, children are getting more stimulation, the more mental stimulation, the better trained the brain). If you are intelligent enough to absorb information faster than a waffly book will present it to you, you will be bored. I personally hate some of the documentary t.v. shows I’ve seen because they present the information in too little detail and too slowly, compared to what I could get on the net.

]]> By: Craigy http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12734 Craigy Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:37:22 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12734 Uh... What? Uh… What?

]]> By: dps http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12596 dps Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:54:38 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12596 I was going to make a joke, but saw that Seth had made the same one already, gah! I was going to make a joke, but saw that Seth had made the same one already, gah!

]]> By: andrewferrier http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12527 andrewferrier Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:19:43 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12527 Thanks for your comment, Seth, I'm a big fan of your work - particularly that classic talk at Gel. You've made me realise marketing can be a noble trade. As I'm an engineer by training, that's no small task. Thanks! Thanks for your comment, Seth, I’m a big fan of your work – particularly that classic talk at Gel. You’ve made me realise marketing can be a noble trade. As I’m an engineer by training, that’s no small task. Thanks!

]]> By: seth godin http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/comment-page-1/#comment-12430 seth godin Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:20:20 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2007/01/12/does-the-web-decrease-attention-span/#comment-12430 Well, I had a good point, but half way through your post, I lost interest and... just kidding there's no doubt that you're correct. I can't imagine that it could get shorter, but it is! Well, I had a good point, but half way through your post, I lost interest and…

just kidding

there’s no doubt that you’re correct. I can’t imagine that it could get shorter, but it is!

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