More is not more. Researchers at Saint Louis University…
““More is not more. Researchers at Saint Louis University have found that ten to eighteen minutes is the length of time past which you begin a game of diminishing returns on your listener’s attention. Take a guess how long President Obama’s 2013 inauguration speech was. That’s right: eighteen minutes. Coincidence? I doubt it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Notes that attention drops after 18 minutes, matching the length of Obama’s 2013 inauguration speech, implying optimal speech length.
In simple terms: Attention wanes after about eighteen minutes.
Key Takeaway
Keep talks under eighteen minutes.
Themes
communication
attention
efficiency
Mood
informative
analytical
Type
research
advice
When to use this quote
- presentations
- lectures
- podcasts
Key Concepts
cognitive psychology
public speaking
Questions to Reflect On
- How long should a speech be?
- What keeps audiences engaged?
A Different Perspective
Complex topics may need longer time.