The Next Big Idea Daily S29 E1: “Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again” by Johann Hari
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Aug 21, 2023 
Johann Hari, author of three New York Times bestsellers, discusses the attention crisis and how to regain focus. Topics include the impact of modern technology, habits, multitasking, interruptions, diet, and collective action to address the crisis.
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Stolen Attention Crisis
- Our attention is being stolen by powerful forces, leading to a crisis similar to obesity or climate change.
- We mistakenly blame ourselves, but it's a systemic issue requiring systemic solutions.
The Multitasking Myth
- Our brains can only focus on one or two thoughts at once, making multitasking a myth.
- Constant switching between tasks degrades attention and thinking significantly.
The Cost of Interruptions
- After interruptions, it takes around 23 minutes to regain the same level of focus: a study by Prof. Michael Posner showed this.
- Three hours of daily phone use translates to far more time lost due to these constant disruptions.