Primate Brains vs. TV

I'm one of those people who believes that his ancient ancestors were a clever yet excitable species of tree-dwelling primate, who lived in constant fear of big cats, big birds, big dogs, their own shadows, and not finding enough to eat. Concentrating on conversation was low on their list of priorities.

Now the tables have been turned. I could go my entire life without having to worry about being ambushed by something that wants to eat my scrawny body. However, it is much more important that I stay focused on work or conversation, or I'll find myself ambushed by an angry boss or girlfriend.

Well, the forces of evolution are against me. My brain is still very much like the brain of my frightened ape progenitors. If something moves or sounds near me without me expecting it, it gets my immediate attention. After I have figured out what it is, it's usually not scary and I can relegate it to the back of my awareness, so long as it continues to do what I expect.

Enter TV. The sounds on TV aren't that big a deal. They're largely like other day to day sounds one might encounter. The images are a different matter, though. The primitive part of the brain sees something moving in the peripheral vision. It turns to get a better look and make sure whateveritis isn't going to scream and leap any time soon. After the look, the brain can go back to talking, working, picking nits, whatever.

Then the scene changes on the screen. This happens in a way that the primitive brain can't anticipate, so it thinks that something potentially dangerous is going on. It turns to look again. Maybe it looks longer this time, just to be totally sure.

There's no way out of this loop, except to block the TV from all view. Otherwise the vision will continue to return to the screen, even if what is on it is a commercial or a football game or something else that holds no interest for me or my primitive primate brain.

It's the only thing I can think of, except that I might have ADD.