The Gray Area with Sean Illing The power of attention in a world of distraction
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Dec 8, 2022 L. Michael Sacasas, an author and teacher focusing on technology's societal effects, delves into the critical theme of attention. He highlights the moral significance of attentiveness in a distraction-heavy digital age, referencing thinkers like Simone Weil and Nicholas Carr. The conversation addresses how technology hampers genuine human connections and exacerbates isolation. Sacasas emphasizes the need for mindfulness, patience, and the reclaiming of our focus to cultivate meaningful relationships in today’s fragmented world.
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Harrison Bergeron
- Sean Illing recounts Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron".
- In this story, a man deemed too intelligent is forced to wear a distracting radio.
Attention's Purpose
- Michael Sacasas emphasizes a crucial question regarding attention.
- He asks what its true purpose is, beyond mere economic exploitation.
Moral and Spiritual Significance of Attention
- Michael Sacasas's interest in attention started with Nicholas Carr's article.
- He later realized the moral and spiritual implications of attention, influenced by Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch.
