It's why there are words for hearing and listening. Yeah, I heard you, but I wasn't listening

I gave up responding to your point. Every time: "What was it again?" Look up, didn't read your comment while reading, again, when I want to start writing, blank, repeat.

Edit: I'm so sure, i had something for that

The difference: when it happens to me, it's completely involuntary. They are choosing to be somewhere else in their head.