stimulation
in the modern age, it has become normal for people to engage in multiple modes of stimulation at once. eating while watching television, or on your phone. gaming while listening to music, and talking to your friends. watching a movie while also scrolling through your phone. taking a walk while on your phone. (it seems like the phone is a common denominator of many of these.)
i don't mean to sound like i'm anti-digital or anti-cellphone. the phone is not necessarily a problem. it is just interesting to think about the fact that our tolerance, and need, for stimulation through visual, auditory, and tactile means has increased drastically.
one form of stimulation has much to offer. there is no need to have two, three, four streams of input. in fact, even with no input, there is one stream of data that is constantly buzzing with activity: our thoughts. when is the last time that you experienced complete lack of thought and emptiness of mind? it is difficult to remember if such a time ever was.