Issue #5

2.5 mins to 47 seconds

Reader , studies show that between 2004 and 2024, our digital attention spans plummeted from nearly 2.5 minutes to just 47 seconds—a decline driven largely by our relentless consumption of digital media.

I recently came across a study on Genetic Literacy Project that puts this into perspective: a non-peer-reviewed Microsoft study compared human attention spans to those of goldfish and found that the fish actually won by half a second.

This realization is deeply unsettling.

It makes me wonder: what did we do before smartphones and the infinite internet?

I remember being in a band, hiking, practicing photography, and taking road trips. I could watch a full-length movie without feeling a twitch of boredom. Now, those hobbies feel replaced by hours of mindless scrolling and algorithmic loops.

Where did that time go?

Digital Detox Challenge

I recently documented my journey through a Dopamine Detox Challenge, where I used an analogue notebook to help reclaim my focus from the screen. While the notebook was a powerful tool, it wasn’t a magic cure—you can’t undo years of digital conditioning in just 30 days.

However, you can start the process.

In my latest video, I share my findings and some rather disturbing comparisons. These realizations have pushed me to lean even further into an analogue lifestyle.

Lately, I’ve been swapping digital convenience for physical connection: growing my collection of CDs and vinyl, replacing my smartwatch with a classic timepiece, and using paper journals and physical books.

Whether it's picking up my guitar or dusting off my camera, every moment of relief from "digital distress" feels like a major win.

What you can do

I urge you to take this challenge for yourself. If you feel overwhelmed by your digital consumption—if it feels like your phone has more control over your life than you do—start tracking it. You might be surprised by what you find. At the very least, you’ll gain a new awareness of where you struggle, and that is exactly where the process of reclaiming your time begins.

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No matter where you are in your journey right now, I wish you the best!