Silicon Valley Watcher - conversations and observations at the intersection of technology and media

It seems as if it doesn't matter how old you are, kids or grownups and beyond, everyone is complaining they are having trouble focusing on tasks, and that they are constantly distracted.

I remember when MTV launched in 1981. The music videos were a big hit at the time, they were imaginative and innovative -- it was very compelling content. But there were concerns that the fast edits, combined with the seductive imagery of the music world, would shorten the attention span of viewers, especially kids. There was talk of an "MTV attention span" syndrome.

However, today I know people that would kill to have the breadth of an MTV attention span. In this world where worlds of compelling content are just a click away, it's like being in a garden of Eden and feasting on every type of fruit, a cornucopia of amazing content and knowledge. And it is all available in any format you want, at anytime, and in anyplace.

The death rattle of the newspaper industry makes it seem as if media is dying, yet there is more media being created today than at any other time in human history.

Plus, there is more compelling content today than at any other time. And it has never been easier to find because our social networks constantly tip us off on Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, email, sms, blogs, phone, and when we get together to talk. We are all sharing (and creating) massive amounts of compelling content, all the time.

The problem with compelling content is that it's compelling. That's why we now all seem to have the attention span of a gnat.

I've been thinking about this question for a while: In a world of compelling content what do you do? How do you deal with the distraction of its easy reach and abundance?

I have a suggestion. I'd love to hear yours, please send to tom(at)foremski.com or leave a comment.

Things are very interesting in media and PR communications these days. Things are changing so fast and we are all learning so fast. The changes happening in our industries are unprecedented, we have no frame of reference except our old ways.

For much of my 25 years in Silicon Valley I've been reporting on innovation and what people have been doing in software, IT systems, chips, etc. These days, the innovation isn't so much in technology, but in media communications.

These days I spend a lot of time talking with reporters about the changes in media and PR. There is a tremendous amount of innovation happening in media communications: Twitter, Friendfeed, Facebook, etc, represent just a tip of an iceberg, a tip that barely existed a year ago, what will be there next year?

And that's what's great about all of this innovation in media communications, that we are in the midst of it, and that we get to help create the future. We get to make the mistakes, and we get to discover and create things that no one has ever done before. It's like making fresh footprints in the snow. It's not often that we get to do that.

I come across lots of people joining Facebook for the first time, or joining Twitter. Some, should have joined a while ago because their profession needs to know about such things. And you can only know by doing, not by reading. But at least they eventually join.

I know many people, young and old, that are passionately determined never to join any social network. They are often adamant. I admire their stance but I don't understand it.

This is a chance to take part in a social experiment that is totally unique. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendfeed, etc, are part of a unique global experiment that involves tens of millions of people in ways that we have never experienced each other. Tell me that's not interesting, or fascinating. Tell me that's not a reason to get out of bed. It's all fresh footprints in the snow.