re: #314 otoc

I’d say yes. Which is why science, philosophy, and the arts came into being.

I’d argue nothing lives in a vacuum, and success is mimicked. Sesame Street was successful and for the first 20 years it was about short attention spans. I’d argue the effect of that is hardly a huge stretch, no matter how hard to actually quantify.

Regarding Sesame Street, it is intended for PreK-Grade 1 students. Children that age do have relatively short attention spans for lessons (not for stories), so the program was designed with that in mind. Primary teachers know this, too, and try to keep their lessons short and to the point. Unless an activity is especially interesting, little kids get antsy and their attention wanders. So, it’s better to give them short, targeted lessons that may need to be repeated.

Suggesting that Sesame Street has somehow caused short attention spans is just plain wrong. Rather, it addressed short attention spans. Educational programs for older schoolchildren devote longer times on each segment, as do lessons in school. And, everyone can sit still for a really good story or movie.