I’ve pretty sure this was already a thing with me

[moon_custafer]

...and that lockdown hasn’t worsened it, just brought it into sharper relief, but I really have trouble paying attention in live conversations, especially with family members who don’t have the advantage of novelty in grabbing and holding my interest. Like, Andrew and I will be sitting in the living room, and I try to not tune him out but next thing I know he’s giving me a disappointed look because I just did the exact same nodding, smiling, making the yes-I’m-listening noises in response to the sound of one of cats meowing or the heater turning on or off, and now he’s onto me. And I have no awareness of it, because I’ve been having a long imaginary conversation with other people which has probably also been looping because I found a turn of phrase I like.

What I’m saying, I guess, is that I either need better focus or a more-sophisticated autopilot.

Comments

[pedanther]

having a long imaginary conversation with other people which has probably also been looping because I found a turn of phrase I like

Oh, that's a thing that other people do too? Good to know.

[sabotabby]

I go to autopilot. I have noticed that before, and I think it'll be worse when I have to interact with people without the ability to turn my camera off.

[cuddyclothes]

That happens with me sometimes. Mostly with my spouse, though. If I'm sitting in front of my screen I don't pay attention, and he'll be talking away.

For more it's more of a problem to read real books. My eyes start fluttering shut after a short time.

Yes Dear

[palain-7.livejournal.com]

This is the famous "Yes, Dear..." schtick of sitcoms. I think that the apex of form is demonstrated in a YouTube click that you can find by searching for "Two and a half men I understand". This is from the show that April Bowby first became famous on before her turn as Rita Farr on "Doom Patrol". Usually the companion piece "Charlie doesn't listen" comes up in the YouTube sidebar but that's not as good.