We want answers for the chaos that swirls around us, but our attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish. That’s right, a goldfish. According to scientists, the age of smartphones has left humans with such a short attention span, even a goldfish can hold a thought for longer. Researchers surveyed 2,000 participants in Canada and studied the brain activity of 112 others using electroencephalograms. The results showed the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000 (or around the time the mobile revolution began) to eight seconds. Goldfish, meanwhile, are believed to have an attention span of nine seconds.
Am I the only one who has noticed that even when talking to close acquaintances, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to complete a thought? There seems to be an actual fear of listening; as though it diminishes one’s value if we sit quietly and attentively past the 8-second sound bite. (I’m no exception here, but I’m trying to get better.)
This means when we have a concept or truth to explain, we have 8 seconds to state our case. However, the book of wisdom sternly warns us against the dangers of being a simpleton. If you haven’t already stopped reading because I have blown past your 8-second focus, here’s what the book of wisdom says: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded?” (Proverbs 1:22) “The simpleton believes every word he hears.” (Proverbs 14:15)
Now, simplicity is good when it comes to certain things like lifestyle and faith, but when it comes to solving complex issues, doubling down on “the answer” when it’s only one small part of the solution, will, in the case of violence, create more violence. The theologian will quote Mark 7:21-23 and proclaim the evil of the human heart as the cause for murder and mayhem. The fundamentalist Christian simply says, “We are living in the last days, hang on till Jesus comes.” The sociologist proclaims that failing inner-city schools and lack of economic opportunity create an irrepresible rage in young black men. The social conservative will say that the breakdown of the family and the lack of a father figure in poor black communities is why young black men carve out an identity with gangs and guns. The political liberal says, “We have to get guns out of the hands of citizens.” The political conservative says, “A well-armed populous will stop the bad guys in their tracks.”
Now, if I offer a simple solution to all of this, then I will have done the very thing that I am criticizing… simplicity. I do believe, however, that a greater tolerance for complexity and longer attention spans would start to affirm others in ways that could make them feel understood instead of shut down. Solomon the sage said, “It’s good to hold on to one thing without letting go of another.” This means that I can hold on to the truth that murder proceeds from the sinfulness of the human heart regardless of class, race or socioeconomic status, while at the same time acknowledging that poverty, lack of education, and broken family structures are incubators for violence.
Even if, like me, you have no national influence, God has given you a family, a church, a workplace, and a neighborhood to start experimenting with a tolerance of complexity and a longer attention span, to make your little corner of the nation a bit of heaven on earth. Perhaps we can also have greater inner peace by not getting emotionally swamped by the “one note Willies” who fill the airwaves and the blogosphere.
Well, have a good day, my 8 seconds were up 240 seconds ago.
