Author: https://dgst.cvanhoek.com

Episode synopsis

This episode centers around the ever shrinking attention span of people in the modern age. Research indicates that in the past twenty years the average person’s attention span has decreased significantly. This is due to excessive distractions attributed to social media and ever increasing technology use. The episode seeks to identify problems contributing to our declining attention span and help users identify strategies they can use to increase their concentration and attention span.

Behind the Scenes

The audio sample posted here was recorded utilizing Sennheiser headphones as the microphone, and edited on a MacBook laptop. Soundtrap was used as the editing software in which recordings were stored and sound effects were added in. Royalty free music was downloaded from Bensound.com and used for non commercial purposes.

Audio Sample:

Script/outline for podcast:

Topic: How to improve attention span

• 0-20 seconds
  • Podcast intro: Welcome audience to Christian Speaks (To You) podcast.
  • Intro music: 
  • Topic intro: Explain that increasing technology usage is leading to attention spans being shorter. Studies conducted in 2003 showed average attention span while on a webpage was close to 3 minutes, while as of 2023, it’s about 47 seconds.

• 20-40 seconds
  • Background on topic: Technology provides a greater number of distractions than such as texts, and social media notifications. ¹
  • Why this topic is important: This is important because people make more errors when they are distracted, it takes longer to complete assignments and tasks, and stress levels increase when focusing on multiple different things.¹

Ways to increase attention span.

• 40-60 seconds
  • First point about topic: Reading can help to increase attention span by training the mind to concentrate on a singular task. A good tip is to mute your phone to avoid distractions and focus on reading for 20-30 minutes straight without losing concentration. (Insert sound effect recording of pages turning in a book, which I will record myself). 

• 60-80 seconds
  • Second point about topic: The spider technique. Explain about what the spider technique is and how this metaphor can help you understand how to ignore distractions when they come up. You can also incorporate the phrase “Be Here Now” which is said after a distraction arises to help refocus your brain on the topic at hand.

• 80-100 seconds
  • Third point about topic: Other important tips for improving your attention span that can be helpful to try: Exercise such as jogging or walking (Record sounds on outdoor walk)., helps to release endorphins and get blood flowing which will improve brain function. Giving yourself a reward for completing an assignment or task, such as rewarding yourself with a snack after reading for 30 mins, etc. 

• 100-120 seconds
  • Conclusion: Thank audience for listening and hope that some of the tips can be implemented into your life and be of use. 
  • Acknowledgments: Thank CBS, George Washington University, and Kansas State for their research being published and utilized by this podcast.
  • Sign off: Thank audience once again and say goodbye to listeners.

---

^[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-attention-spans-getting-shorter-and-does-it-matter/

^[2] https://healthcaremba.gwu.edu/blog/how-to-increase-attention-span

^[3] https://www.k-state.edu/counseling/services/resources/self_help/improvingconcentration.html

Favicon

The favicon, or simply the site icon is the smaller icon which appears in a browser tab. This can be used to quickly identify different sites if you are unable to see the full name. This is especially useful if your computer frequently has dozens of tabs open, like mine does. I chose to make the site’s favicon a simple abbreviation of the name “Christian Speaks.” I believe that overcomplicated logos can dilute the purpose of the image or just be too cluttered.

Site Header

The site header is what greets new visitors to the site at the top of every page. For this, I decided to full expand the “CS” logo of the sites favicon. Therefore, I fully wrote out the words “CHRISTIAN SPEAKS.” I think that having the full name of the site spelled out is important and has a complimentary color scheme with the favicon. I added shadows and a border to the text along with utilizing the same gradient that was used to create the favicon.

The Black and the Red

I chose to create a black and red gradient color scheme using Vectr. I chose these colors as they remind me of the football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I am a big fan of the Buccaneers, particularly their color scheme and use of pirate imagery and livery. I took inspiration from the color scheme and decided to utilize it for my site favicon and header. It was important that the site had a consistent aesthetic and retained the same color scheme throughout. I decided to go with simple text due to skill limitations with graphic design software, as well as a desire to avoid over complication or clutter. I also found Vectr to be limited with the shapes and icons available in the free version. Therefore, I found that utilizing simple text was an effective way to get the message across that I wanted to send (what site you’re on) and to have an aesthetic that I liked. I used JPEG images for both the favicon and the site header. I chose this as it was one of the only image types allowed to be downloaded on the free version of Vectr. I made sure to size the images correctly before exporting so they would not be blurry or have to be modified once uploaded to my site.

“All Rights Reserved”

I think copyright is a very important law. It has the ability to protect creators and the work that they create. The world can be very competitive, and lots of people will use underhanded tactics to get ahead. This can include the stealing of peoples works and intellectual property. Without this necessary legal protection there would be so many copycat works it would be impossible to tell who was the original. Copyright can help those creators receive the credit and compensation they deserve for creating that work.

Although it can be a double edged sword. Particularly on sites like Youtube, corporations and creators can use copyright law to strike or takedown videos that criticize their work or products. The problem is this prevents necessary discussion that can be used to make said product or work better, or expose it for being harmful or inaccurate, etc. Copyright can help to protect creators, but can also be weaponized against them for unscrupulous reasons.

My copyright

I have chosen to make this site’s copyright all rights reserved. This means I retain all the rights to work published on this site. While I think that the open sharing of ideas and content is very important, I am looking at this from a privacy standpoint. I am cautious of posting too much on the internet and would like to prevent any unauthorized use of my blog posts on this website. Even with this copyright protection in place, fair use still allows criticism or the use of work on this site for educational purposes.

A Student

I am Christian, I am a political science major at the University of Mary Washington. I’m interested in learning and discussing issues related to United States foreign policy and geopolitics. The web is a great resource for learning new things. Being able to access the world’s knowledge without ever having to leave your home is a tremendous thing. I think in this way the internet is a great tool, but like Uncle Ben said “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The internet can also be used as a tool for spreading misinformation and cyberbullying, which is why good digital citizenship is needed.

A Good Digital Citizen

While being a citizen of a country comes with expectations that one follows that country’s laws and principles, the same could be said for being a good citizen online. The internet has connected people like never before, therefore following good practices is essential. Core values of being a good digital citizen are having respect for others, valuing your own and others privacy, and managing a good digital footprint. A digital footprint is the idea that when you post something. whatever you posted will follow you even if it is deleted. Many people say “nothing ever truly gets deleted from the internet.”

This can take the form of posts, pictures, comments, etc. But if it is attributable to you, people like potential employers, school administrators and others can find it. It is important to maintain your privacy online, this is done by using usernames, and not oversharing personal information about yourself. That being said, having things online can be helpful as well. Posting positive things, or sharing work you have done can be beneficial and help you get hired. If you want to learn more about being a digital citizen, check out this helpful guide from the University of Michigan.

A tool for sharing thoughts and ideas.

I think one of the best things the web has to offer is the ability for anyone to share their thoughts. Before the advent of the internet one needed to write something in a physical book and have that book published and sold. Even then, your reach was limited to those who the book could be distributed to and purchased by. Forget about TV, broadcasting nationally, let alone internationally, has a higher barrier to entry than just about anything else. The internet, through platforms such as social media, forums, or websites like this one allows almost everyone to be able to share their thoughts. We’ve even seen the rise of a new type of celebrity (for better or worse), one entirely made and viewed through the internet. The internet significantly lowers the barrier of entry for people to create and share content, especially for niche hobbies or communities.

My own website

I have decided to call my little corner of the web Christian Speaks. I feel as though it is a simple title, one that reflects my desire to share my thoughts and ideas with the world. The Christian obviously comes from my name. Although, I am not speaking like I would in a podcast or video, still I am able to share my ideas through blog posts such as this one. I feel as though, a simpler name is better, as a longer name would get far too complicated and look messy from a viewers perspective.