Why we can't focus.

The invention of the printing press and the rise of literacy fostered a "typographic mind," characterized by prolonged focus and engagement with complex ideas. However, the shift towards television as a primary medium of communication led to a decline in these cognitive abilities.

Historically, the Lincoln-Douglas debates (1858) and the Kennedy-Nixon debates (1960) exemplify this shift. The former, consumed primarily through written text, demanded sustained attention and the ability to follow complex arguments. The latter, tailored for television, prioritized brevity and visual appeal.

The internet has further exacerbated the problem of declining attention spans by creating a "hostile design environment" that constantly bombards us with information and demands our attention.

This "hostile environment" is evident in the design of platforms like YouTube and TikTok, which encourage constant engagement and distraction, making it difficult to focus on any one thing for an extended period. This constant stimulation rewires our brains, making us less capable of deep thought and reflection.