• finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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    21 hours ago

    Thank god this relatable to so many of us, I was wondering if this was a symptom of a larger disorder whenever this happens to me.

    The worst is when I’m reciting word for word technical information about chemistry or physics, because I often like to explain how things work to friends and family while I work on stuff, and then I’ll get interrupted or distracted and have no memory of wtf I was just saying for the last several minutes straight.

  • rumba@lemmy.zip
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    1 day ago

    Back when I came into the office every day, it was a 45-minute commute. At least one day every week, I had no active memory of getting from the north side of the beltway to my house (about 20-25 minutes). I’d reach this point, and it was like someone flipped a switch, and I became aware that I existed.

    I’ve done this with Audio Books. I’ve listened to 2-3 chapters, and they’ll mention an assassin; Brain goes, wait, assassin? WHAT ASSASSIN? I start rolling back find out I completely tuned out 20 minutes of the story.

    • Anti-Face Weapon@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      This is why I can’t listen to audio books. I just get lost in the soothing voice and my mind wonders. Paper books are where it’s at.

      • Raiderkev@lemmy.world
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        20 hours ago

        Podcasts and technology connections on YouTube. I totally enjoy them, but if I’m halfway tired and my mind doesn’t want to focus and I put either on, I’m passing out after 10 minutes.

    • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Yea but then you realize that you have now made the audiobook last 30mins longer, so it’s a win… especially if it’s a good book.

  • vga@sopuli.xyz
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    13 hours ago

    I call it “five too many coffee cups today”. When I cut off from coffee, I become able to follow a text much better.

    I can drink as many tea cups that I can without throwing up and not get the same jitter-effect so it doesn’t seem to be just caffeine.

  • SzethFriendOfNimi@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    I did find this paper where somebody used the term “mindless reading”

    Smallwood, J. (2011). Mind‐wandering while reading: attentional decoupling, mindless reading and the cascade model of inattention. Language and Linguistics Compass, 5(2), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-818x.2010.00263.x

    Seems that is the term used for it such as this talk in 2006

    https://ies.ed.gov/director/conferences/06ies_conference/posters/readingtq_reichle.asp

    Abstract: “Mindless reading” occurs when, during reading, our eyes continue to move across the printed page in spite of the fact that we are busy thinking about things that are often completely unrelated to the text.

    • brygphilomena@lemmy.world
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      21 hours ago

      I could do this, reading out loud even. And not know what the fuck I just read for the last 10 minutes.

      And yes, I have ADHD.

      • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 day ago

        Yeap, one of the BIG ones according to multiple doctors I’ve seen

        Either that or dyslexia can apparently cause this too, according to my dyslexic friend in HS

        • Baku@aussie.zone
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          1 day ago

          I actually thought I had dyslexia for a while because of this, plus if I don’t read correctly (which for me requires memorising each word in a sentence, then interpreting it as a sentence, as opposed to reading each word and interpreting it by itself), I get the order of words mixed up

        • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          I think I do have some low-grade dislexia, but not enough for it to cause any significant issues. Just occasionally, especially if I’m tired, I’ll read things completely out of order.

      • peppers_ghost@lemmy.ml
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        1 day ago

        It was for me, I’m not sure if it’s universal. Consider talking to a professional if you’re concerned about it.

        • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          I’m already middle-aged, so changing the way my mind works at this point would probably cause more harm than good. I’ve already figured out how to live productively with the unique workings of my psyche. Thank you though!

          • the_joeba@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            My wife was diagnosed at 42, it’s changed her life for the better. She is still the same person, adhd quirks and all, boy she has a better understanding of her behavior, and more control.

  • Eugene V. Debs' Ghost@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 day ago

    I think it could be argued for a state of hypnosis, like how people drive for miles but just don’t remember how they did it entirely.

    Difference is, you clearly drove and got there safely. You didn’t read the words on the page, you just moved your eyes across ink blots.

    • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      I was a professional driver for 20 years. I can attest that autopilot is a real thing.

      It’s easy to monitor traffic on either side but end up daydreaming and miss a turn.

      I’ve been out of the transport industry for five years now and I still occasionally find myself auto-piloting to places I used to deliver to. It’s so weird.

      • Raiderkev@lemmy.world
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        20 hours ago

        I drove black cars for a bit, I’ve definitely just taken the airport exit once when I was out of it. Glad I’m not alone.

        • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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          19 hours ago

          Yeah. It’s not a big deal, but how you handle it really matters. (This is advice for anyone else reading; I’m sure you know.)

          If you miss your turn because you’re daydreaming or whatever, just keep going. DO NOT swerve three lanes over to an exit or whatever other dumb shit. You fucked up. Deal with it without putting other people in danger.