The half-listening habit of the younger generation has become a cultural flashpoint and contentious issue

xLook around, and you will witness the half-listening culture. Young-sters with an earbud in one ear and the other ear open to a conversation! Gen Z’s new social norm, where one ear — literally — stays tuned to the digital world even during real-world interactions. It’s not a full snub, but not full attention either. A kind of “I’m here, but also elsewhere.”

The Era of Semi-Attention

“I don’t even notice I do it anymore,” admits Samantha D’Souza (22), a media student. “Sometimes I’m listening to music at low volume while chatting. It helps me focus. I’m not being rude — it’s like background energy.”

“I find it so annoying,” says Ryan Mehta (25), who works in advertising. “You’re op

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