Our attention span has collapsed from around two and a half minutes on a screen to just 47 seconds. And according to psychologist and attention researcher Dr. Gloria Mark, the problem is much bigger than simply spending too much time on our phones.
In this episode I sit down with Gloria to explore what we're actually avoiding every time we reach for a screen, why boredom has almost disappeared from our lives, and what constant switching is doing to our ability to think, focus and connect with other people.
We talk about the research behind the 47-second attention span, why short-form content trains us to keep switching, how stress and poor sleep make the problem worse, and the important difference between having ADHD and experiencing ADHD-like symptoms while using technology.
We also get into AI and critical thinking, why reading books can help retrain sustained attention, the value of getting offline and into nature, and why something as simple as talking to a stranger can make us feel more present in our own lives.
But underneath all of it, this conversation is about something much more universal: avoidance.
When we automatically reach for our phones, we may be avoiding boredom, difficult work, uncomfortable thoughts, or genuine connection. Gloria's challenge is not to abandon technology, but to stop living on autopilot and start asking a simple question before we reach for distraction: “Do I really need to do that right now?”
Dr. Gloria Mark is a psychologist, Chancellor's Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and author of Attention Span. She has studied human attention and technology use for more than two decades, examining how the digital world is changing the way we focus, work and live.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction: Attention Collapse Stats
(00:24) Why We Reach for Phones
(01:52) AI and Critical Thinking
(02:52) 47 Seconds on Screen
(04:14) Retraining Focus with Books
(06:08) Audiobooks and Social Media
(08:30) Boredom and Real Connection
(12:36) Long Term Risks and ADHD
(20:17) Practical Attention Reset Plan
(30:22) Gloria Mark Origin Story
(34:21) Is Tech Making Life Better?
(37:01) Kids on Screens Concerns
(40:28) Avoidance Final Questions
(43:33) Where to Find Gloria
(44:42) Wrap Up
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