The text discusses the danger of continuous partial attention in our hyper-connected world. Continuous partial attention refers to the state where people give partial attention to what they are doing continuously. This can hamper relationship-building efforts, both on a personal and professional level. The desire to stay connected online during in-person events can dilute our efforts to connect with others. Continuous partial attention can also affect our ability to build profitable business relationships and can lead to a state of attention deficit. It is important to know when to focus on face-to-face interactions and put notifications on Do Not Disturb in this digital age.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous partial attention | From focused attention to divided attention | Increased difficulty in building meaningful relationships | Desire for constant connectivity and fear of missing out |
| Hyperconnectivity during networking events | From face-to-face interaction to online distraction | Increased dilution of networking efforts | Desire to stay “live” online and fear of missing out |
| Loss of connection during conversations | From focused conversation to distracted conversation | Decreased memory of conversations and decreased importance of in-person interactions | Desire to stay connected online and fear of missing out |
| Continuous partial attention at work | From focused work to distracted work | Decreased productivity and increased mistakes | Desire to stay connected online and fear of missing out |
| Importance of face-to-face interactions | From prioritizing online interactions to prioritizing in-person interactions | Increased recognition of the value of in-person communication | Desire for meaningful connections and relationships |
| Increasing use of social media | From limited use to constant use | Increased reliance on social media for communication and relationship-building | Desire for convenience and fear of missing out |
| Importance of setting boundaries with technology | From unrestricted technology use to setting limits | Increased awareness of the negative effects of constant connectivity | Desire for work-life balance and mental well-being |