Maggie Jackson talked about her book Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming of the Dark Age (Prometheus Books; June 4, 2008). She examines the phenomenon of a lack of attention in a culture she says is becoming more fragmented, despite the growing sources for social networking. Topics included the physiology of the brain, neurology, brain development, the skills of learning and thinking, and the drawbacks of multitasking. Ms. Jackson offered suggestions for forming a mentally acute society. She responded to questions from members of the audience.

Ms. Jackson writes the "Balancing Act" column for the Boston Globe. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times. She's the author of What's Happening to Home? Balancing Work, Life and Refuge in the Information Age.