NPR's Book of the Day In a new book, Chris Hayes argues that attention is our most endangered resource
16 snips
Feb 10, 2025 
Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC and author of "The Siren's Call," dives deep into the attention economy and its consequences on our society. He shares his experience feeling like he's chasing audiences rather than engaging them proactively. Hayes discusses how attention has become a scarce resource that politicians and brands endlessly compete for, highlighting the impact of social media on younger generations. He also examines Trump's role as a symbol of this attention-driven landscape and questions whether MSNBC can keep its audience engaged.
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SNL Skit
- A Saturday Night Live skit satirized cable news' obsession with Trump's every statement.
- Chris Hayes found the skit's timing perfect, relating it to his book's theme.
Attention vs. Information
- Chris Hayes argues we live in an attention age, not an information age.
- Attention is finite, unlike information, and having someone's attention means someone else can't.
Brand over Product
- Many businesses prioritize branding over the actual product in the attention economy.
- The brand, like Nike's swoosh, holds more value than the physical item.
