AI helped a bit. I’m no good at Maths.

Are You Suffering From Attention Span Shrinkage?

No problem. I’m turning literary classics into 8.25-second viral hits

This dog has a longer attention span than a Gen Z Tik Tokker. Image by freepik.

Generation Z consume content so quickly I fear they may never have the attention span necessary to read a book.

I have decided to help.

And condense famous literary works into 8.25 seconds — more in line with their TikTok experience.

Assuming the average read time of 180 words per minute, I used my old-fashioned calculator to work out this equated to 1,309 words. This didn’t sound quite right, so I asked AI to help me. It said the correct answer was 24.5 words. So we’ll go with that, shall we?

The 8.25-second attention span that hit the headlines a while ago has since been debunked. So, with a bit of luck, they will be able to read a few of these condensed books before scrolling off to view cat memes.

I expect I shall have to work out a way to get these into a video or a GIF to be in with a chance of competing with TikTok, but until then . . .

Classic Literature

• Pride and Prejudice: Snobby sisters fight for love. Witty banter, hurt feelings, and a truth universally…