I think the point was to do one thing at a time.

If a book/movie/series doesn't work out, then drop it and move on.

Life is too short.

That’s just not how it works. The child like inclination is to switch songs 90 seconds in, or switch tv shows, or jump book to book because the library has an overwhelming number of options.

The massive amount of choice available is paralyzing, and after some time they’ve become a lot better at seeing things through.

It sounds like your friend is the exact opposite. He can’t commit because he’s paralyzed by too many options. Eliminate the options and the paralysis disappears.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paradox_of_Choice

I've always been an avid reader and for as long as I've able to read I've always read multiple books at a time, depending on my mood, and I finish them all. Granted I didn't grow up with the massive amount of available media kids have today, but I don't see a problem with kids reading multiple books at a time, if they go through them anyway. I much prefer this than kids not reading at all.

I can see your point though, I just can't agree with the books part, from my personal experience.

Yeah, I grew up getting books at yardsales and used book stores, usually a dozen at a time for a few dollars, and I almost always read several of them at a time. Switching between books seems like a natural way to read books, it's not a symptom of mass media induced brain damage or whatever is being suggested above. My family didn't even have cable TV so I'm quite sure my attention span wasn't damaged by it.

What do you mean that’s just not how it works? You said “follow all the way through.” So if your kid picks Super Ghouls N Ghosts or NetHack they may end up never touching another game until they move out? Or do you let them give up after a certain number of hours?

But what if it really sucks? There are bands who are "one hit wonders" not because of peoples attention spans but because the rest of their songs actually suck. Detective book series, where the supposed detective starts solving crimes by using astrology? Yeah... no, thank you. Scrubs season 9? The last few seasons of house of cards?

It sucks, there are many other things to read/watch/play, so why not quit the bad stuff and find something better?

>What if it’s a book or show they don’t like? Do they have to follow it all the way through just because of the mistake of starting it? Seems like they’re going to miss out on a lot of experiences because they accidentally chose the wrong thing.

This is the coddling the of American mind.

Check the review!

Check the rotten tomato score!

Scour goodreads!

Live fast! Life's short! Indulge in the Good Approved Product!

How about people learn what they like and don't like (and WHY)? How about we stop pushing away negative emotions the second they appear? How about we develop a real identity? You can't grow a personal taste if you only get fed what you instinctively like, you also have to go through the stinkers.

Ok but if you're halfway through The Land Before Time you can tell if you're gonna be interested in the rest without forcing yourself to slog through it.

If my hypothetical kids don't enjoy the land before time, I'm getting a paternity test.

> Check the review! Check the rotten tomato score! Scour goodreads!

These things tell you if other people like the thing, not if you will like it. There's a keen difference you know, people can have their own opinions on things without taking cues from the crowd.

Anyway, putting down bad books isn't an Americanism. Why do you let Americans live rent free in your mind?

Identity has nothing to do with which unpopular movies or books you happen to enjoy.

My kids live with me and we often watch and play things together. They’re not holed up in their rooms living sad lives of isolation.

For that reason, we’re never going to watch trash. Gabby’s Dollhouse will never, ever be on any screen in my house. I refuse.