UCI Podcast: “If you can’t pay attention, you’re not alone”

Gloria Mark explains why we’re distracted and how to fight it

People all over the world are taking notice of Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity, a new book by UCI’s Gloria Mark, Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics. For over two decades, Mark has studied human-computer interaction, examining how the increase in our society’s use of technology has altered people’s attention spans.

Mark says this book is not targeted toward academics but rather a general audience: “It’s for anyone who uses a computer or a phone – even for those who think they have good self-regulation skills – and wants to better understand the science behind attention and better understand themselves.”

In this UCI Podcast, Mark explains different types of attention and various myths about it. She also offers suggestions on how to find better balance, which could lead to improved productivity and well-being.

Listen to the podcast or read the transcript in UCI News.