Opinion: As consideration spans shrink, we’ve got a choice to make

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I work in communications. Which means, I’m within the enterprise of concision. Over time I’ve condensed numerous experiences into social media snippets, analysis papers into key messages, and sophisticated points into opinion items. Such repackaging is usually vital to succeed in a broader viewers.

However even simplification has its limits.

Chatting with a graphic designer lately, I discussed a enjoyable concept I’d heard for a five-minute animated video to play in faculties. She might barely disguise her horror. “College students at present might by no means concentrate for 5 minutes,” she stated. “Perhaps a minute, in all probability much less.” The worst half was, I knew she was proper.

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With the fixed barrage of digital dopamine hits vying for our consideration, specializing in anyone factor for an prolonged interval is a tall order. We would like fast hits, shortcuts, summaries. Curricula have adjusted accordingly, as have media and editorial stylings.

Generally, I’ve this nagging feeling that we’re letting individuals off the hook slightly too simply. Sure, it’s getting more durable to focus, however isn’t that problem extra motive to strive?

When somebody begins a sentence with “I learn an article saying…” it takes all my tongue-biting capability to not ask whether or not they did, the truth is, learn the article, or cease on the headline. There’s additionally a powerful risk that article is code for TikTok, however that’s a subject for an additional day.

I don’t faux to be above any of it. As I write this quick reflection, I’m concurrently watching a recorded TV present (in order that I can skip to the good things) and taking breaks to scroll on my telephone (as a result of I, too, have the eye span of a gnat).

We must always have identified we have been in bother with the rise of TLDR summaries. The last word shortcut, which accurately stands for Too Lengthy; Didn’t Learn, however actually means “Don’t trouble, right here’s the gist.” It’s the written equal of that pal who blurts out the contents of the reward earlier than you’ve even begun unwrapping it. Solely on this case, the current is simply left within the field, its contents by no means examined up shut.

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I fear that we’re headed for a future the place large concepts are misplaced to character limits, and textbooks look extra like storybooks. A world the place scientific breakthroughs are expressed as Emojis and election platforms are decreased to Instagram carousels. If we’ve already reached a degree the place a video the size of a median industrial break is simply too lengthy for a classroom, we’re properly on our method.

The excellent news is, it’s not too late. For these of us working in media and communications, it’s time to assist elevate the bar.  We have to problem our audiences to assume slightly deeper and focus slightly longer. If not us, then who?

One way or the other, we should steadiness the insatiable demand for brevity with the accountability to speak depth, context and nuance. You recognize, these issues that separate the one who really understands a subject from the one who can regurgitate a sizzling take from their favorite influencer.

A part of the answer lies in resisting the urge to over-simplify. To battle the great battle, we have to give our viewers some credit score and assume they’re able to partaking with extra than simply the floor degree. It’s a bit like hiding greens in your child’s favorite dish — they gained’t discover the broccoli if it’s smothered in sufficient cheese. They’ll get their gooey repair and choose up the necessary stuff alongside the way in which, which is all that basically issues.

And if you happen to’ve made this far, congratulations. Your consideration span is longer than the typical fruit fly. In at present’s world, that’s an actual reward.

Amber St. Louis is an Ottawa author and communications director.

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