While there is some truth to the idea that people have a very short attention span, I believe we frequently overestimate or generalize this. In reality, people would rather see than hear. Hearing requires extra attention, but it is sometimes possible to listen with your eyes.
It is incredible to think that books and scrolls existed in the past, and that books are no longer as relevant as they once were.
The Egyptians were the first to use paper for documentation, so if you are wondering how people in the past had decent attention spans, keep in mind that books were not just any ordinary invention, and many people felt privileged to be among the first to have the opportunity to read.
Later times developed technologies to accommodate people's excesses, which became our new normal. So, people adapt not only to difficult situations, but also to easier times, and adaptability is a double-edged sword.
Have you ever sat down and imagined how people in the 16th and 17th centuries had fun, how they managed to live without electricity, TVs, and mobile phones while still living long, interesting, and fulfilling lives? If you have done so, it is most likely because you have imagined your life without all of the current benefits and believe you can not cope.
The majority of the things we find difficult to deal with are simply because we have so many options
When people do not have a choice, they begin to adapt.
On Hive, for example, many people label themselves as one type of consumer, claiming they do not want long-form content, which I understand. Many people are used to watching funny tiktok videos and weird shorts on YouTube.
There are people who spend hours scrolling through videos and laughing as they go; while the time spent watching these videos adds no value, you could argue that many people prioritize their entertainment over anything else.
YouTube and Tiktok are designed to maintain attention spans by utilizing algorithms to keep people locked in while cashing in.
In reality, everyone can train their attention span rather than leaving it static; a person with a shorter attention span cannot learn something like programming because there are different tools to learn; when people tire easily when it comes to consuming for something that could potentially benefit them, learning becomes difficult.
In reality, learning is difficult, but people continue to do it. Why not blame learning difficulties on a short attention span? Whether you are learning for something potentially or immediately beneficial, the fact is that modernism or the modernization of learning will not necessarily help people learn better.
For example, if a book is converted into an eBook, the volume of content will remain the same; the only difference is that it is easier to stare at a screen than at white pages in a book. People literally carry tools that allow them to do almost anything.
However, we all have our preferences.
On Hive, there are people whose content I read regardless of how long it is; sometimes the boredom associated with consuming their content is justified by the potential knowledge I stand to gain.
So, while we consume for entertainment at times, consumption for learning, networking, engagement, and connection may not bring us joy or entertainment.
However, while it is true that we perform better when we are having fun, we must sometimes train our minds to have imaginary fun while doing things that are absolutely necessary.
Before you say it is a ton of fun on web2, think again. There are people who are simply having fun, and those who are having fun while cashing out. The former returns home with nothing, whereas the latter literally lives their dream lives of having fun and earning money.
In reality, people build what they want to enjoy, and the construction process is frequently the most tedious and gruesome
People are literally farming Elon Musk's X money. They have hundreds of thousands of followers, and all they do is start an argument thread, generate millions of impressions per day, and go to the bank at the end of the month.
If you just want to have fun on Hive, you will not be able to do so because you must grind and build, both of which are difficult. You may not get the exposure you seek if you stick to what you enjoy alone, but if this is acceptable to you, you should not complain.
It is not always a good idea to ask a potential connection to create the type of content you want so you can easily network with them; you either like what they like or you don't. Do not stay in that place; instead, move and adapt.
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