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Popcorn Brain: Why we can't focus
30th September 2025 • The Daily Note with James A. Brown • James A. Brown
00:00:00 00:00:59

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This is the Daily Note. I'm James A. Brown. Harvard researchers call it popcorn brain.

When your mind jumps around like kernels in hot oil, you can't focus, you can't disconnect, and you're always scrolling. And no Wonder. Every minute, 139 million reels play on Instagram and Facebook. And our brains weren't built for all this.

And now we're addicted to the popping. The researchers who coined the term say we should limit ourselves to 20 minutes a day of scrolling twice a day. And honestly, good luck with all that.

When the average person checks their phone 96 times daily, that's once every 10 minutes, we're awake. So what do you think? Is your mind popping, too? And how should we address this? Let me know on jamesabrown.net, or on that note. I'm James A. Brown, and as always, be well.

How to reach me:

Email me: james@thedailynote.net

Call or text me at  (585) 371-8865.

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This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Transcripts

Speaker A:

This is the Daily Note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown.

Speaker A:

Harvard researchers call it popcorn brain.

Speaker A:

When your mind jumps around like kernels in hot oil, you can't focus, you can't disconnect, and you're always scrolling.

Speaker A:

And no Wonder.

Speaker A:

Every minute, 139 million reels play on Instagram and Facebook.

Speaker A:

And our brains weren't built for all this.

Speaker A:

And now we're addicted to the popping.

Speaker A:

The researchers who coined the term say we should limit ourselves to 20 minutes a day of scrolling twice a day.

Speaker A:

And honestly, good luck with all that.

Speaker A:

When the average person checks their phone 96 times daily, that's once every 10 minutes, we're awake.

Speaker A:

So what do you think?

Speaker A:

Is your mind popping, too?

Speaker A:

And how should we address this?

Speaker A:

Let me know on jamesabrown.net, or on that note.

Speaker A:

I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown, and as always, be well.

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