S29 E4: "Thoreau's Axe: Distraction and Discipline in American Culture" (Caleb Smith)

Caleb Smith, a 19th-century naturalist, discusses the history of distraction and its relationship with attention. He explores the impact of new technologies, industrialization, and modern economic conditions on our focus. Smith highlights the need for personal discipline, control over time, and protection from manipulation to combat distraction in American culture.