[Swizec]

> Have you done a lot of teaching? > As a matter of fact, managing a course-long sequence of lectures in a way that keeps everyone engaged is infinitely more difficult than keeping everyone engaged in a one-off conference presentation.

No I haven't and yes that's totally understandable. But in my experience a lot of lecturers don't even try (or they probably do, but fail to different extents)

> The only way to make sure everyone has good reason to pay attention is to teach a very difficult topic. Which is why "not paying attention" is nearly non-existent in canonically difficult courses, regardless of the quality of presentation style.

Not in my experience. I've been to plenty of classes that were extremely difficult, but I just could not bring myself to pay attention to the presenter for longer than a minute at a time. I just couldn't.

[henrikschroder]

> but I just could not bring myself to pay attention to the presenter for longer than a minute at a tim

Then maybe the problem is you, not the presenter.

[Swizec]

Have you ever listened to somebody who is "so passionate" about the subject they're teaching that it looks like they're putting themselves to sleep?

But yes the problem is also partially me. I have a lot of trouble focusing on people talking. Especially if it isn't a one-on-one conversation. I think it's an issue with mismatched speed of comprehension and presentation (it's also why I have trouble listening to podcasts and such)