354) Johann Hari: Reclaiming our capacities for deep thinking and intimate engagement
Apr 26, 2022
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Johann Hari, writer and journalist, discusses the decline of attention in a sped-up world and the need for systemic solutions. They explore the negative impact of technology, the importance of deep thinking, and the need for an attention movement. They also share stories from the tunnels beneath Vegas and emphasize the importance of staying grounded.
Our fast-paced modern life hinders deep thought and focus due to increased speed in communication and daily activities.
The attention crisis is a structural problem that requires systemic solutions, not just individual adjustments.
The destruction of our attention and the destruction of the environment are interconnected, driven by factors like unrestrained capitalism and the need for collective action.
Deep dives
The Impact of Speed on Attention
The podcast discusses how our fast-paced modern life, characterized by increased speed in communication and daily activities, negatively impacts our attention. The speaker emphasizes that as things speed up, our capacity for deep focus and attention declines. Studies on speed readers show that even though people can be trained to read faster, it comes at a cost: decreased retention and absorption of information. The speaker argues that society is essentially 'speed reading life' and living at a pace that hinders deep thought.
The Attention Crisis
The guest, Johann Hari, talks about his book 'Stolen Focus' and the crisis of attention that affects individuals and society. He shares alarming statistics, such as the rise of attention problems in children and the average American office worker focusing on a task for only three minutes. Hari argues that this is a structural problem requiring systemic solutions, not just individual adjustments. He highlights the need to reclaim our attention, emphasizing that attention is being stolen from us rather than collapsing on its own.
The Interconnection Between Attention and the Climate Crisis
In the podcast, the guest draws a parallel between the attention crisis and the climate crisis. He points out that the destruction of our attention and the destruction of the environment are interconnected, driven by common factors such as unrestrained capitalism. The podcast argues that we need attention to address the climate crisis effectively, and passing tipping points with attention could hinder our ability to take collective action. The guest also highlights the importance of acknowledging natural limits, both in terms of attention and the planet, and challenges the culture of limitless growth that disregards our well-being.
The Importance of an Attention Rebellion
The podcast episode explores the need for an attention movement or rebellion to address the systemic factors that undermine our ability to focus and pay attention. The speaker highlights the parallel between fighting the underlying causes of the climate crisis and addressing the attention crisis. While there are individual actions that can help, the main focus should be on challenging the forces that profit from undermining our attention. The importance of collective action and a shift in consciousness is emphasized to reclaim our ability to pay attention.
The Impact of Technology and the Ethics of Attention
The podcast delves into the ethical dilemmas created by technology, particularly social media platforms. The speaker discusses the harmful messages implicit in platforms like Twitter, such as the idea that a concise, immediate reaction is more valuable than contemplation and depth. The conversation highlights how these platforms incentivize a culture of superficiality and reactivity, influencing our capacities for attention. The need to prioritize intimate engagement, slow down, and think deeply is emphasized as an alternative to the attention-stealing nature of these platforms.
"“There’s a lot of evidence that the world, and our experience of life, has massively sped up... We’re all speed-reading life now, and we’re living at a pace that makes deep thought impossible.”
In this episode, we welcome Johann Hari, a writer and journalist who has written for the New York Times, Le Monde, The Guardian and other newspapers. His TED talks and NowThis viral video have been viewed almost 100 million times, and his work has been praised by a broad range of people.
Johann is the author of Stolen Focus, which was published in January of this year.
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(The musical offering in this episode is Debt by Luna Bec.)
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