Keller @ Large: Respect Runners' Tenacity And Commitment

BOSTON (CBS) - It came as no surprise when I saw it last year, a study out of Canada that found the average adult attention span has dropped dramatically since the cultural invasion of the smartphones began, from twelve seconds down to eight.

There are just too many distractions, more readily accessible, to pay attention to anything for much longer, it seems.

Still, it's an unimpressive result. We now have a shorter attention span than goldfish, who can focus for nine seconds on average.

Or so the scientists claim.

Today here in Boston, thousands of people from all over the world are demonstrating that people still can and do focus on the long haul, and demonstrate extraordinary patience.

Behind most of the runners today is a story of time, effort and money invested over long periods of time, by their colleagues, coaches and loved ones. And the race itself is a showcase for long attention spans, for the devotion and commitment of people to a training regimen that can allow for the longest sustained effort in sport.

For a culture that's so addicted to immediate gratification and constant stimulation, we also place a lot of value on longevity and constancy.

Long-running marriages are synonymous with personal success. Sports stars are praised for staying with one team for a long time.

We get angry when politicians run for one job, then start looking for the next one too quickly.

So as you witness the tenacity and commitment of the marathoners today, take a moment to admire the exception they present to social norms.

Heck, take more than eight seconds to do so; you won't miss anything, I promise.

Listen to Jon's commentary: