Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD

Why our attention spans are shrinking, with G...

Up next

Helping humans and wildlife coexist, with Suzanne MacDonald, PhD

Many of us share our cities and neighborhoods with animals that lived there before we moved in, such as raccoons, turtles and crows. Suzanne MacDonald, PhD, of York University, discusses why some species thrive in urban environments while others struggle; how city living changes ...  Show more

Why we complain and how to do it better, with Robin Kowalski, PhD

Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear p ...  Show more

Recommended Episodes

Addicted to distraction: How our world is robbing our ability to pay attention
Life Examined

According to psychologist Gloria Mark, the average attention span is just 47 seconds. Mark, a two-decade veteran in researching attention, says our ability to focus is declining at an alarming rate and is impacting our health. Much of this increase is due to our modern, fast-pace ...  Show more

The Distracted Brain
Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

If you have trouble focusing on books, work, or even TV shows, you’re not alone. The fact is our attention spans are getting shorter. And it can feel like our ability to perform and be productive is harder. But is a shorter attention span actually impacting our brain function and ...  Show more

Finding Focus
Hidden Brain

We spend more and more of our lives staring at screens. Our cellphones, smartwatches and laptops allow us to communicate instantly with people across the globe, and quickly look up obscure facts. But our digital devices are also altering our brains in profound ways. This week, ...

  Show more