It is often said that goldfish have very short memories. While researchers continue to debate whether or not that is actually true, the idea has been attached to younger media consumers, who have been called the Goldfish Generation.
The Goldfish Generation generally refers to younger millennials, Gen Z and Generation Alpha – basically anyone who grew up with smartphones, screens and the ability to have digital content in front of their eyes within seconds.
They tend to lack the patience to sit through advertisements that their predecessors had to endure for decades. They also know full well that they can change the content to fit their mood at the blink of an eye and the swipe of the finger. At a very young age they learnt how to use tablets and smartphones, and navigate YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels. Once in a while, you will even notice a young child trying to swipe a physical book as though it were an iPad.
Most controversially, the Goldfish Generation has the been assigned the unfortunate stigma of having a shorter attention span, although the evidence behind that accusation is mixed.
Nevertheless, there is something distinctly different about how younger audiences are consuming content. That in turn is changing how content is created, distributed and ultimately rewarded monetarily.
At the 2024 Global Media Congress in Abu Dhabi, the Generation Goldfish label was the topic of a panel discussion with long-time media professionals from Vice, TikTok and Blinx.
“I do believe that calling this the Goldfish Generation is unfair,” said Rafael Lavor, head of strategy at Vice, a digital media and broadcast company. “Our minds have been the same for millions of years,” he said, before turning to how social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have cracked the code of users' brains.
“They can release a payoff for each one of the users in a few seconds and this is the reality we are in right now. It's addictive, so that's why they're a bit hooked, it's not that the attention spans are shorter, but rather, we found a way to keep audiences hooked with small videos,” he said, referring to dopamine and how long-form cinema uses similar strategies, albeit on a smaller scale.
Shadi Kandil, general manager of global business solutions for TikTok, also disagreed with the notion that user attention spans were getting shorter and agreed that the Generation Goldfish label was somewhat unfair.
“This is not new,” he explained to the panel audience, referencing the research of Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman on decision-making and psychology.
“In the context of science, this has been around for the longest time. What has changed is the volume of content we're dealing with on a daily basis … as well as the immediacy of the content,” he said. The mind is capable of coping with the information onslaught, he added.
“If we want to subject ourselves to a certain piece of content or want to deal with a task, we give it our attention to get to the bottom of it, but if it's something we want to shun … we tend to avoid it, and it's the same of media,” he said.
Mr Lavor and Mr Kandil both agreed that what appeals to newer audiences was changing slightly, and authenticity seemed to be a common thread through successful content across multiple social platforms.
Authenticity, according to Mr Lavor, was key to the successful videos for Vice. “We try to be the one with the most authentic voice, especially with the younger audiences. The more authentic we are we feel like it resonates better, so we're bringing artistry back into content making,” he said.
Mr Kandil echoed those sentiments, with some additional context. “Media and content is a utility and that utility needs to serve a purpose. People seek content because they want to be informed, they want to be entertained, they want to increase knowledge about a specific area. That doesn't change,” he said.
While TikTok is a platform and not a content producer like Vice, Mr Kandil explained how the company's app helped to make it easier for content to be discovered, and noted how the technology behind that app is changing how all generations find content.
“Our engine that serves up the content, we've built an immaculate piece of engineering” he explained, referring to TikTok's algorithm that is the envy of much of the social media world.
“We source out the content that users are putting out there and we find the right moment in time when another user is looking for that piece of content and we match the two together,” he said.
Also taking issue with the Goldfish Generation label was Fadi Radi, chief creative officer at Blinx, a Dubai-based digital media hub focused on Middle Eastern youth content. However, Mr Radi did say that, because of the interfaces of high-speed data transfers of many social media apps, the first three seconds of video content were more crucial than ever to grab users' attention.
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The years Ramadan fell in May
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Cockroach
(Vintage)
Ian McEwan
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
How do Sim card scams work?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
