The Distracted Brain

Posted on by CNN

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 overall health? Does it really help to block distractions like social media? In our first episode of an all new season, Sanjay speaks to Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and author of “Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.” She’ll tell us what’s actually going on in the brain when we’re attentive and why we’re less focused than we used to be. Professor Mark will also share tips for sharpening our attention spans that go beyond “just put down your phone.”

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy (https://cnn.com/privacy)

You May Also Like

20Comments

Add yours
  3. 3
    Raymond Normandeau

    The part about distractions in theaters brings to mind a congresswoman who vaped in theater. If not escorted out she may have given a BJ to man in adjoining seat who is not her husband.

  5. 5
    DR.T.M

    "A Symphony of Divine Harmonics: Crafting a New Earth"

    In the realm where thoughts take flight,
    A tapestry of truths and lies in the Earth's light.
    Agreements forged, ideas taking birth,
    Shaping our world in the day and night's girth.

    War and climate, choices we've made,
    Consequences felt, a price we've paid.
    Ideas flowing through the collective stream,
    Creating the reality we hold as our dream.

    Reality's template, a thought-formed mold,
    Vibrations shaping the stories we've told.
    Yet in hidden realms, unseen and unfurled,
    Lie mysteries beyond this physical world.

    A universe veiled from our senses' gaze,
    Operating in ways that challenge our ways.
    Perceived reality, just one facet we glean,
    While other dimensions remain unseen.

    We merge with the man who stands with you,
    Transcending words to make vibrations true.
    Language, a tool to share and convey,
    But true understanding lies in the energy's sway.

    Language, a tool for imparting the lore,
    Accelerating humanity's quest to explore.
    Beyond the veil of fear and strife,
    We aim to elevate and embrace a higher life.

    Times are changing, a great shift's in sight,
    Humanity's choice: to embrace the light.
    Dismantling old structures, frail and worn,
    No longer serving, it's time to be reborn.

    Responsibility lies, both collective and sole,
    For creations born from our heart and soul.
    Reevaluating thoughts and deeds of old,
    Paving the way for a future untold.

    Unraveling the grip of fear's embrace,
    Creating room for a higher space.
    Releasing biases we've held within,
    So new vibrations and ideas can begin.

    Humanity's song, a vibrational choir,
    With high and low notes that never tire.
    The shared field of consciousness we tend,
    Manifests as we collectively intend.

    Change is underway, old norms to amend,
    As humanity's vibration begins to ascend.
    Choice turns to agreement in this new phase,
    A shift from fear's haze to love's embrace.

    Dissension and factions may arise,
    Revealing truths hidden from our eyes.
    To move forward, we must first perceive,
    What fear's decree has led us to believe.

    This transition is not a path of dread,
    But a celebration of what lies ahead.
    Like a sapling rising from the ground,
    Humanity's growth, profound and unbound.

    We are all teachers, in our unique way,
    Guiding humanity toward a brighter day.
    The prerequisites for change are clear,
    Dismantle fear, and let truth appear.

    Fear has its place, but less than we think,
    Primarily a deterrent at the brink.
    Peace and war, two sides of a coin,
    But in higher realms, fear has no join.

    Alignment brings a fresh perspective,
    Coherence with truth is our objective.
    Like attracts like, a fundamental rule,
    Higher vibrations make us whole.

    Understanding equivalence is the key,
    Co-resonance in unity, let it be.
    Manifesting from the Source within,
    A transformed world where love will win.

    The Upper Room, where aspirations soar,
    A state of being where we explore.
    A portal, an entryway, we become,
    Shaping reality through a cosmic drum.

    Embodiment occurs when we align,
    A precious gift, for the soul to refine.
    Reclaiming our True Self, it's time to see,
    The Divine within us, eternally free.

    To know oneself beyond the past's grip,
    Grasping our timeless, formless trip.
    Our vibration, pure expression's art,
    Of God's eternal love, deep in the heart.

    Presence and being, our tools of change,
    In the Upper Room, we rearrange.
    Our field informs the world we see,
    A higher octave of reality to set us free.

    We don't change, but we agree,
    With the truth of your being, eternally.
    We see you beyond the weight of the past,
    As Divine beings, your light will last.

    The time has come for a profound shift,
    Reclaiming your inherent Divine gift.
    No longer bound by fear's shroud,
    Realize your Divine essence, strong and proud.

    This is not defiance, but a course correction,
    Reclaiming your Divine connection.
    To know God is to know your Source,
    A realization of Divine love's endless force.

    God, energy and form, forever the same,
    Realizing this truth, our primary aim.
    From the Upper Room, we create anew,
    A simplified reality, both real and true.

    To align with Source, stay aware,
    Miracles around us, beyond compare.
    Receptors of life's endless stream,
    In our presence and being, we redeem.

    As gateways, we're always receiving,
    Never deceiving, always believing.
    With our presence, a world anew,
    Shaped by the Divine, eternally true.

  8. 8
    Felicia D. Cameron

    I really wanted to enjoy this interview but something about her voice made it sound like she was speaking while on a walk, or a treadmill. Did anyone else hear that? If that's the case, that's a bit ironic for this subject. If not, maybe my brain is trying to distract me haha

  10. 10
    Jonathan T. Modesto

    (Daniel 9:27 was fulfilled in August 13 2023 also when the woman began travailing in birth in order to fulfill the time of the gentiles for the mystery of Revelation 12 to be completed, Daniel 12:1 next, three riders were released within 2020 and 2023. These words are true and worthy, he who has ears to hear let him hear.)

    “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 3.

    “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verse 8 to 11.

    “All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 8 to 10.

    “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verse 25 to 28.

    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

    Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16 to 18.

    “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

    First Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 3 to 6.

    “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

    Acts, chapter 8, verse 22.

    “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

    Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 3.

    “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

    Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4, verse 17.

    “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.”

    Hosea, chapter 6, verse 2.

    “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

    Second Peter, chapter 3, verse 8.

    “knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

    Second Peter, chapter 3, verse 3 to 4.

    “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

    First Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 3.

    “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

    First Thessalonians, chapter 4, verse 16 to 17.

    “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

    First Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 52.

    “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

    Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verse 34 to 36.

    …………………………………………………………………………..

  11. 11
    D Hickey

    Over the last five years I've been focused on a math major. This meant long hours on problems which might be more than a page of notebook paper. While many people were scrolling, I was solving vector calculus or physics homework. I noticed I had more focus as a result, but I also developed a habit to avoid distractions. Now I avoid people and conversations which are repetitive and don't add to my life. Top of the DON'T list is social media. It's easy to observe how much bad habits drain those around you.

  13. 13
    m

    A TikTok survey found that half of its users experience STRESS from watching videos more than 60 seconds long. 🤦

  18. 18
    sraindear

    Since my early 20's I've been pursuing wordless presence. The best place to achieve this is in nature. Since I've seen the computer world take over many things that didn't exist when I was younger I can definitely see how distraction has become the norm now. My tip is to make time in the morning and in the evening to walk in nature while the sun is horizontal across the earth. This feeds the 3rd Eye and this can bring wordless presence. To give an example, on a morning walk after a deluge rain event that was after a 9 year drought, I could actually hear and feel the joy of the trees! It was so distinctly clear! This joy was given to me too! PS I used to think I was "special" because I could do 2 things at once – now I'm working every day to NOT do 2 things at once – because I heard about a Stanford study that said it can actually make one more stupid.

  19. 19
    Mary Moriarity

    I completely agree with this gentleman, and it’s not just a movie theaters that this phenomenon takes place. Students in school of any grade want to be free to be on their phones instead of paying attention and learning something. Than the entitled parents. Wonder why their child is failing. Once at a church dinner, a group actually came in and I got so loud and rowdy that the police had to be called.

  20. 20
    Al Swedgin

    Advs..social media will do 2 things; 1) make you compare yourselves to others…2) Promote a way(product) to make 'You' be a better you. 🤣

Comments are closed.