“The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.”

~Robert J. Shiller   

Today’s journal writing prompt seems pretty straightforward.  In a society where so many people seem to have multiple warning signs of ADHD, what do you think?  Is the ability to focus attention on important things a defining characteristic of intelligence?  If so, are you concerned about the future of our society in the age of our short-attention span media, get it now lifestyles?  Write about it in your journal.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus:  Quite often, I find myself not only focusing my attention on important things, but, also on not-so-important things.  It feels like, at times, “shiny objects” are much more interesting and attention grabbing for my mind than anything else.  Actually, not often, but, at times, I feel like my entire day is spent in a series of attention grabbing nothingness.  Now, I understand that the longer I allow myself to live a life as a professional artist, the closer I get to insanity (maybe this is just the warning signs!), however, I do know many people (who aren’t professional artists) who live the same way - with their dedicated, focussed attention moving from one thing to the next sequentially throughout the day.  Some of the people I’m thinking of are also quite intelligent.

So, I wonder, in your opinion, what do you think the sequential-focussed-attention on important and not-so-important things means.  Is it a defining characteristic of higher intelligence?  Or, is it insanity in the making?  Can you relate to this in your own life?  Write about it in your journal.

Happy Journaling!