The rate of decrease in concentration is proportional to the square of concentration, so:

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:48:40 +0000

# The Science Behind Fading Attention—and How It Shapes Modern Digital Life What’s happening when your mind seems less able to focus, especially after sustained effort? A surprisingly precise physical principle may offer a clearer picture: the rate of decrease in concentration follows a square law. That is, when concentration wanes, it tends to drop faster than linearly—specifically, at a rate equal to the square of the remaining concentration. This mathematical relationship is far more than an abstract formula. It’s increasingly relevant to how we understand attention spans, digital engagement, and mental endurance in an always-on world. In a culture where distraction is constant and fleeting, this principle helps explain why even well-designed content can lose momentum quickly—and why people are more curious than ever about its implications. ## Why This Mathematical Relationship Is Rising in Public Discussion