The global pandemic of shortening attention spans
Friday, December 19, 2025 | 70 Views |
Divided attention: Attention spans are shortening globally and social media giants are cashing in
I had a moment of realisation the other day. In fact, it was my son who pointed it out. I was scrolling through social media on one phone and reading an article on my other phone. The television was on in the background and I was actually following the hilarious debates on Judge Judy!
Some decades ago, multitasking became the in-thing, the desirable corporate skill that would win you great jobs and earn promotions. From a purely capitalist point of view, multitasking sounds like the kind of efficiency and productivity that sets one corporate ahead of the other.
For years, we have rightly celebrated our world-class HIV response. The PMTCT programme has been its crown jewel, ensuring HIV-positive mothers could safely nurture their newborns without fear of transmission. Now, a leaked memo exposes a terrifying reality that the lifeline has been frayed to breaking point. A key warehouse in Francistown stands empty, and access is being rationed. Official reassurances about expected consignments ring hollow to...