New York Magazine has a lead article called, "In Defense of Distraction." It's good. On page seven, we read:
The truly wise mind will harness, rather than abandon, the power of distraction. Unwavering focus—the inability to be distracted—can actually be just as problematic as ADHD. Trouble with “attentional shift†is a feature common to a handful of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and OCD. It’s been hypothesized that ADHD might even be an advantage in certain change-rich environments. Researchers have discovered, for instance, that a brain receptor associated with ADHD is unusually common among certain nomads in Kenya, and that members who have the receptor are the best nourished in the group. It’s possible that we’re all evolving toward a new techno-cognitive nomadism, a rapidly shifting environment in which restlessness will be an advantage again.
This is a decent synopsis of what I've been saying about the rise of "hunting" behaviors over "gathering" ones:
How do I get credit for being a genius? Where can I go to cash in this wonderful insight for some Omaha steaks or something?
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