All posts tagged: distractions

I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them? | Books

I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them? | Books

Published by Sam Flores

It is a privilege to be surrounded by books. My parents hail from the literary working class, a subsection of society that believes great works lead to a richer life. Reading for them was an inverted form of class snobbery. My dad could read as well as anyone. He’d prove it on package holidays, sitting on the balcony the entire time, head bowed, cigarette in hand, flicking through the pages of Jane Austen or Herman Melville. The only difference between my old man and an old Etonian was the drudgery of employment. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: work is the bane of the reading class. As for my own reading life, my mum wore me down, shouting “Read a book!” any time I dared say I was bored. I soon capitulated. I was nudged towards the classics, defined by Italo Calvino as books people say they should “reread” because they’ve either read them or do not want to admit they have not. In my late teens and 20s, I worked my way through the greats. I …

People Who Turn Down The Music To See Better When Driving In The Rain Usually Have 10 Distinct Traits

People Who Turn Down The Music To See Better When Driving In The Rain Usually Have 10 Distinct Traits

Published by Jenni Sidey

There are some people who find driving to be effortless, but the moment it starts to rain, they suddenly need complete silence in the car. To achieve that silence, they’ll instinctually turn down the music just so they can see better, even though turning down the music has nothing to do with their sight. Despite the fact that research has found people tend to drive safer when it’s raining, it doesn’t stop them from taking certain precautions to ensure they don’t crash or spiral out of control on the wet roads. Surprisingly, people who turn down the music to see better when driving in the rain usually have certain distinct traits that most of us wouldn’t even think about. Turning down the music isn’t just about hearing better, either. It’s so that people are able to process the road and what’s around them with all of their senses. The second that even one of their senses is impaired, like their hearing, it can feel anxiety-inducing to navigate driving their car in the rain. The decision …

Windows 11 has a great focus mode that blocks distractions automatically

Windows 11 has a great focus mode that blocks distractions automatically

Published by skeptic

Windows has far more built-in capabilities than most people realize. Many of them remain untouched simply because users either don’t know they exist or never spent enough time exploring how they work. Take Windows 11, for instance. It includes a clipboard history feature that can store multiple copied items, optional settings that can be turned off to reduce interruptions and streamline workflow, and a dedicated Focus mode designed to minimize distractions when you need to concentrate. These tools are not buried; they are right there in the system, waiting to be used. For anyone who spends a lot of time on a Windows PC, learning about these settings can make usage efficient. Customization is one of the platform’s biggest strengths. A few thoughtful adjustments can change how notifications behave and how smoothly you move through your tasks. Personally, I tend to get absorbed in work and prefer a quiet work environment. Others might want the same calm while watching a film, studying, or maybe working on something important. That’s where this Focus mode proves useful. …