Why You Can’t Pay Attention - And How to Think Deeply Again | Johann Hari

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Apr 11, 2022

In this engaging discussion, journalist Johann Hari, author of 'Stolen Focus,' dives into the alarming decline of our attention spans. He reveals twelve factors, including technology and environmental influences, that are stealing our focus. Hari shares insights from a personal three-month internet-free experiment and advocates for both individual and collective action to reclaim our mental clarity. He also highlights the crucial need for allowing children to engage in independent play for healthier development.

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INSIGHT

Declining Attention

Johann Hari's attention felt like running up a down escalator, a struggle shared by many, especially youth.
This realization prompted research into the declining attention spans, revealing 12 contributing factors.

ANECDOTE

Graceland Trip

Johann Hari's godson, obsessed with Elvis at nine, later struggled with tech addiction.
A trip to Graceland highlighted the pervasive nature of digital distraction, prompting Hari's research.

INSIGHT

Speed's Impact

Increased speed in modern life negatively impacts attention, affecting speech, walking, and overall depth of thought.
Slowing down through practices like meditation and yoga can boost attention.

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Lost Connections

Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions

Johann Hari

In 'Lost Connections', Johann Hari explores the increasing rates of depression and anxiety in the Western world. Through a 40,000-mile journey interviewing experts and visiting various communities, Hari identifies nine causes of depression and anxiety, all centered around the theme of disconnection. These causes include disconnection from meaningful work, other people, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status and respect, the natural world, and a hopeful or secure future. The book also delves into the role of genes and brain changes. Hari argues that traditional solutions focusing on chemical imbalances are insufficient and proposes alternative solutions based on reconnection, such as social prescribing, community engagement, and addressing societal issues like inequality and lack of social security.

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again

Johann Hari

In 'Stolen Focus,' Johann Hari delves into the crisis of declining attention spans, arguing that this issue is not a personal failure but rather the result of powerful external forces. He identifies twelve deep causes of this crisis, including the decline of mind-wandering, rising pollution, and the deliberate design of social media to capture attention. Hari's research takes him to various locations, from Silicon Valley to a favela in Rio de Janeiro, and he interviews leading scientists and experts. The book emphasizes that the problem is societal and requires collective action to solve, rather than individual willpower alone. It offers a hopeful perspective on how individuals and society can reclaim their focus and think deeply again[2][4][5].

Chasing the Scream

The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs

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In 'Chasing the Scream', Johann Hari delves into the origins and consequences of the war on drugs. The book spans nine countries, where Hari interviews a diverse range of individuals, including addicts, dealers, scientists, and policymakers. Hari explores the early figures in the drug war, such as Billie Holiday and Harry J. Anslinger, and discusses modern-day alternatives to prohibition, including decriminalization and legalization policies in countries like Portugal and Uruguay. The book argues that addiction is not a disease but an adaptation to environment and advocates for a shift from punitive measures to rehabilitation and connection-based solutions.