How to Stay Focused in the Digital Age: Tips from Former Google CEO

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt argues that mobile phone notifications make concentration difficult. In an interview on the 'Moonshots' podcast, he mentioned that the researchers in their twenties he collaborates with turn off their phones to concentrate on their work.

Schmidt, who contributed to the development of the digital age with features like advertisements and notifications, acknowledged that technology is designed to monetize user attention. 'Essentially, we tried to monetize all the hours you are awake with some form of advertising, some form of entertainment, some form of subscription,' he said.

Research shows that attention spans are decreasing, partly due to technology. Psychologist Gloria Mark reports that the average attention span on a computer screen is only 47 seconds, while it was 2.5 minutes two decades ago.

Schmidt pointed out that notifications and the commodification of attention jeopardize relaxation, suggesting that the best way to relax is to turn off your phone and follow traditional relaxation methods.

Responding to Schmidt's statements, creators of meditation apps, such as Calm and Headspace, argued that not all time spent in front of the screen is the same and that digital well-being is not about going back to the past, but about progressing with purpose.

Source: Vita