Ya?l: So Don, I was reading this very interesting article about how in prehistoric times the world cooled because there was a sharp drop in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Don: Uh huh. Y: Yeah you know, because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. D: Right. Y: Don, are you even listening? D: Yes, of course. Y: No you're not, you're doodling! Look at that: stars, squiggles. I have to say, Don, it's pretty rude. If you're doodling then you're clearly not paying attention. D: Actually, that's not true. A study found that doodling can help you remember details--it's a way of concentrating the mind. Y: Really? D: Yep. The researchers had forty subjects listen to a tape listing the names of several people, some of whom were going to a party. Twenty of the participants were told to shade in shapes on a piece of paper, the other twenty just listened. Then all forty were told to write down only the names of the people on the tape going to the party. Y: So the people who doodled while listening remembered more of the names? D: Right. Granted, it's only a small study, but psychologists know that something like doodling can help keep the mind from wandering when you're listening to a boring list or something. So you actually end up concentrating more on the content of what you're hearing. Y: So are you saying I was being boring? D: No! Please, tell me more about carbon dioxide in prehistoric times. Y: OK. And feel free to doodle.