Even though I work in the research area of algorithms and complexity, I love interdisciplinary exchange. The most affected people I’ve met are teachers. They can’t seem to get a handle on the problem: the attention span of children in the classroom is too short. Even if you can debate modern teaching methods, we’re currently raising a generation that isn’t used to paying attention to anything for long; they’re accustomed to being entertained like a king by his court jester. I don’t see technology as the enemy. I’ve learned to love the discipline in all its facets and wouldn’t want to live without it. It’s an enormous advantage—it can bring us closer together and allow us to exchange information more quickly if we use it properly. Nor do I want to demonize social media. I want to raise awareness that algorithms designed solely to manipulate your attention span and keep you on a platform as long as possible can’t be good for humanity. Thinking needs to shift more toward human-centered design; our collective attention needs to focus on this problem. I’d like to hear your opinion. I appreciate the community here, and your perspective might help me come up with new ideas.
