Blank spots in our life, or 'switching off' are scary, sometimes an almost automatic reaction to either a person blabbing all knowing, or no interest in conversation at all.
Exactly. I find it very hard to maintain interest in anything, as I have "the option" not to listen to whatever I want. There is a huge risk of siloing myself.
I hope that whatever age you live to, you approach life that way :)
Being made aware of it in my late teens I try curtail, although cannot promise to avoid always.
Searching, delving deep for truth by reading extensively into matters of interest has been a lifelong drive, alas we are human with many faults.