So a view I see a lot nowadays is that attention spans are getting shorter, especially when it comes to younger generations. And the growing success of short form content on Tiktok, Youtube and Twitter for example seems to support this claim. I have a friend in their early 20s who regularly checks their phone (sometimes scrolling Tiktok content) as we’re watching a film. And an older colleague recently was pleased to see me reading a book, because he felt that anyone my age and younger was less likely to want to invest the time in reading.

But is this actually true on the whole? Does social media like Tiktok really mould our interests and alter our attention? In some respects I can see how it could change our expectations. If we’ve come to expect a webpage to load in seconds, it can be frustrating when we have to wait minutes. But to someone that was raised with dial-up, perhaps that wouldn’t be as much of an issue. In the same way, if a piece of media doesn’t capture someone in the first few minutes they may be more inclined to lose focus because they’re so used to quick dopamine hits from short form content. Alternatively, maybe this whole argument is just a ‘kids these days’ fallacy. Obviously there are plenty of young adults that buck this trend.

  • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    I really recommend trying an e-reader in your local shop or borrowing one from a friend if you can.

    I’ve read books on my phone for about a year now, but the “feeling” isn’t right there, and I somehow get distracted a bit.

    I’m really a fan of “a device should do one thing, and that really good”. I bought a camera, a reader, and so on because of that. My software habits are the same. I have dozens of simple apps on my phone and PC, and all of them serve one single purpose. Look up the UNIX-principle if you’re interested in more. (Sorry, this site is full of Linux-circlejerk 🙃)

    • The camera makes 10x better photos than every top tier smartphone (+ is a fun offline hobby that improves your skills!)
    • The reader gives you a display that’s super easy on the eyes, lasts for weeks on battery and doesn’t distract you.
    • My smartphone is only there for communication (Lemmy, messengers, calls) or if I have to quickly look up something on the web

    Separating everything really also separates your mind, giving you peace.

    It’s minimalist and maximalist at the same time.

    • Algaroth@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’m sort of on the same wavelength. You can get a pretty powerful phone for cheap if you don’t care about camera quality. I mostly only take pictures when people ask me to so I don’t care about camera quality. But if you do your research there are cheap Android phones with some of the latest snapdragon processors or whatever for cheap. Latest Samsung and iphone cost what they do because of the camera mostly. I don’t need a camera so I get cheap phones with strong hardware and basic cameras. Currently using a Motorola.

      I will look into getting an e-reader though. Plan was always to spend less time on my phone. Photography doesn’t interest me. I’ve tried to get into it because hot girls are into it but I can’t even fake it.

      • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        I honestly wouldn’t buy a “cheap” phone in your place to be honest. They don’t last as long. Maybe take a look into Fairphone, or Google Pixel devices. Both can run many CustomROMs (if you’re into that), extending the life span and making it more private. I’m a fan of the Fairphone, since you can repair it yourself and it has (I believe) 10 years of software support ootb

        • Algaroth@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Mine is completely unlocked and has no bloatware. I’ve had it for six years and it’s still going. As I said, do your research before getting a phone. Look at what hardware is in it etc. Only thing it doesn’t have is a fancy camera.

      • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        I will look into getting an e-reader though. Plan was always to spend less time on my phone. Photography doesn’t interest me. I’ve tried to get into it because hot girls are into it but I can’t even fake it.

        Then don’t chase something you don’t enjoy! If you want to meet new people, be enthusiastic and have fun in what you’re doing right now, whatever it is. When I’ve learnt something in the last few years, then it is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Others will notice and will be interested into you.

        You’re into books? Get a library card and ask the handsome lady next to you out. You enjoy collecting postcards? Weird, but interesting! Will be a great conversation starter. You get my point?