Here is an article I found interesting. Discusses the idea that due to the many distractions of the modern world many of us operate in a state of continuous partial attention . I'm definitely guilty more often than I'd like, but as they say... knowing is half the battle.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11899893/site/newsweek/

Another piece here: http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2005/06/supernova_2005_2.html