Shorter attention spans mean longer recovery times

On the one hand, recent reports on unemployment show that quite a few states have "achieved" double digit numbers. At the same time, search for talent at a "cheaper" price continues. In addition to "who you know" what you know matters too. This is where the other hand comes in. An article in the NYT today deals with "Blackberretiquette." Alex Wiliiams, in the piece "Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners" writes that "It is routine for Washington officials to bow heads silently around a conference table — not praying — while others are speaking, said Philippe Reines, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Although BlackBerrys are banned in certain areas of the State Department headquarters for security reasons, their use is epidemic where they are allowed. “You’ll have half the participants BlackBerrying each other as a submeeting, with a running commentary on the primary meeting,” Mr. Reines said. “BlackBerrys have become like cartoon thought bubbles.” Some professionals admitted that they occasionally sent mocking commentary about the proceedings, but most insisted that they used smartphones for legitimate reasons: responding to deadline requests, plumbing the Web for data to illuminate an issue under discussion or simply taking notes. Still, the practice retains the potential to annoy. Joel I. Klein, the New York City schools chancellor, has gained such a reputation for checking his BlackBerry during public meetings that some parents joke that they might as well send him an e-mail message. Few companies have formal policies about smartphone use in meetings, according to Nancy Flynn, the executive director of the ePolicy Institute, a consulting group in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Flynn tells clients to encourage employees to turn off all devices. “People mistakenly think that tapping is not as distracting as talking,” she said. “In fact, it can be every bit as much if not more distracting. And it’s pretty insulting to the speaker.”..."
Students use their "DumbPhones" even in the classroom- one can hear the annoying tapping. If the students and workers have no control of their behavior and give in to the urge of the present rather than focusing on the future, why would anyone want to hire them? One can hear similar people in other countries who have the same addictions, but at a much lower price.

Getting rid of the Blackberry addiction, and focusing on learning and listening...would be a small start for getting the country back on track.