Green Dreamer: Seeding change towards collective healing, sustainability, regeneration

354) Johann Hari: Reclaiming our capacities for deep thinking and intimate engagement

Apr 26, 2022

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.

01:00:14

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Johann Hari

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Quick takeaways

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.

Introduction

4min

The Loss of Attention and its Negative Impact

17min

The Impact of a Sped-Up World on Attention and the Need for an Attention Movement

5min

The Harmful Effects of Technology on Human Attention

20min

The Impact of Technology on Thinking and Communication

11min

Groundedness, Inspiration, and Advocacy: Stories from the Tunnels Beneath Vegas

2min

"“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.

Support our community-powered show: GreenDreamer.com/support

(The musical offering in this episode is Debt by Luna Bec.)

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