Mass media and the internet have caused people’s attention spans to get shorter. However, the overall effect has been positive: while people are less able to focus on one thing, they more than make up for it with an enhanced ability to sort through large

In ancient times when there was no television, radio, the internet or any other such means of communication or information sharing people used to rely on handwritten notes, books, personal interaction with others in order to gain knowledge, gather relevant information or pursue their interests. But with the advent of the internet and other such mass media, this situation changed drastically. It maybe true that these innovations have reduced people's attention span or made them more impatient, but I believe it is true that these innovations have tremendous benefits which cannot be overlooked.

Today if a student has difficulty finding the solution to a his/her course problem, he/she would better Google it rather than look through his/her textbook pages! The reason maybe that such information is available at the drop of a hat, requires little effort or it maybe that all this information surplus and ready availability has simply made us lazy, impatient and reduced our attention span. One may point out these negatives, but no one can deny that in today's fast paced world where time is of utmost essence it will be hard to imagine a world without online newsrooms, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Gmail and the likes!

The opponents to this idea may say that these inventions have degraded the values of research, diligent and thorough learning, focused approach to problems or situations as people now tend to find an easy way out by looking for required information on the net or other such media. But these people should understand that these very media have opened up huge vistas of knowledge, opportunity and variety for people across the globe. People now have multiple platforms such as blog sites, chat-rooms, online research groups, activity groups which they can access as per their likes and interests and further hone their skills.

Additionally, these platforms further help in knowledge sharing and a better management of time. If a student or business manager can get his required data immediately from such media, he or she can then use it to further his research, work or assignments. When seen in this light, what appears as a reduced attention span can be thought of as enhanced ability and flexibility in an individual to manage resources, times and be in tune with the current fast changing times.

All in all, I believe if today people have the options of surfing through multiple television channels or the net, it has not reduced their attention span but just given them multiple options to entertain and enlighten themselves.