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Earlier this year, my colleague Rose Horowitch reported on a new irony in higher education: Students who have chosen to take film classes can’t sit through the films. One professor told her that “his students remind him of nicotine addicts going through withdrawal during screenings: The longer they go without checking their phone, the more they fidget. Eventually, they give in.”
Meanwhile, as young people struggle to sit through even an hour of a movie, modern blockbusters are getting longer, many of them running three hours. Some of these movies manage to hold viewers’ attention with bombastic action scenes that command focus on a big screen. But how long is too long? Today’s newsletter explores what keeps many of us from immersing ourselves in longer works—and some alternatives for when you just can’t handle sitting still for three hours.
On Movies and Attention
The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films
By Rose Horowitch
The attention-span crisis goes to the movies.
Six Acclaimed Movies With Short Runtimes
By Stephanie Bai
Bring back the 90-minute film. (From 2024)
The Attention-Span Class Divide
By Xochitl Gonzalez
Who can afford to sit still at the movies?
Still Curious?
- The elite college students who can’t read books: To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school, Rose wrote in 2024.
- 20 perfect TV shows for short attention spans: For both quick laughs and thoughtful reflections, try one of these highly bingeable half-hour comedies, Shirley Li wrote in 2022.
Other Diversions
- How the World Cup finally won over America.
- The best running shoes you can’t get your hands on
- When did sports get so loud?
PS
I recently asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. Charlotte M., 80, sent this photo of Hanalei Bay, Kauai.
I’ll continue to feature your responses in the coming weeks.
— Isabel