Episode
#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
1:59:14
Published: Thu Jan 06 2022
Description
Johann Hari is a writer & a journalist. You probably struggle to focus on the task you're doing. You probably wish that you could pay attention for longer and that you were less easily distracted. Why is this such a common problem? Is this a byproduct of the modern era? Technology? Social Media? Johann has travelled the world trying to work out what is going on. Expect to learn how your attention system works, whether attention loss is reversible, whether modern life is going to further decrease our productivity, the relationship between sleep and focus, what impact stress and diet has, whether phone addiction is to blame, the single biggest influence Johann found which no one is talking about, the strategies which help to regain focus and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://www.manscaped.com/ (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D and Free Shipping from Athletic Greens at https://athleticgreens.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Stolen Focus - https://amzn.to/3JIXg51 Follow Johann on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johann.hari/ Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/
Chapters
Johan Hari discusses the common problems with attention and focus, the causes of attention loss, and strategies to regain focus.
00:00 - 01:20 (01:20)
Summary
Johan Hari discusses the common problems with attention and focus, the causes of attention loss, and strategies to regain focus. He explores the relationship between technology, stress, diet, and sleep on our attention system, and shares insights on improving our daily productivity and long-term happiness.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The attention crisis affecting people worldwide can be boosted or downgraded by 12 factors.
01:20 - 08:50 (07:30)
Summary
The attention crisis affecting people worldwide can be boosted or downgraded by 12 factors. Focus-boosting strategies have been found in a New Zealand office, while attention in a Brazil favela has seen disastrous consequences.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker recounts a moment when Elvis asked him to take him to Graceland one day while they were in the Jungle Room, Elvis's favorite room in Graceland.
08:50 - 12:02 (03:11)
Summary
The speaker recounts a moment when Elvis asked him to take him to Graceland one day while they were in the Jungle Room, Elvis's favorite room in Graceland.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker relates a feeling of loneliness and disconnection while in Province Town and cites the French philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir, who described a similar feeling upon becoming an atheist.
12:02 - 17:18 (05:16)
Summary
The speaker relates a feeling of loneliness and disconnection while in Province Town and cites the French philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir, who described a similar feeling upon becoming an atheist.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The attention crisis in today's society affects children's health, as scientific evidence shows that children's attention grows when they can exercise and move around.
17:18 - 22:27 (05:08)
Summary
The attention crisis in today's society affects children's health, as scientific evidence shows that children's attention grows when they can exercise and move around. Dr. James Williams, an ex-Google designer and current philosopher of attention, has highlighted this issue among others caused by the attention crisis.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this episode, the guest discusses the effects of technology on our ability to pay attention and set long-term goals, and the challenges that come with constant disruptions and distractions.
22:27 - 26:43 (04:16)
Summary
In this episode, the guest discusses the effects of technology on our ability to pay attention and set long-term goals, and the challenges that come with constant disruptions and distractions.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
A study conducted by Hewlett Packard revealed that interruptions during work, such as using a phone or being bombarded with emails, can reduce our ability to think and decrease productivity by up to 20%.
26:43 - 32:51 (06:08)
Summary
A study conducted by Hewlett Packard revealed that interruptions during work, such as using a phone or being bombarded with emails, can reduce our ability to think and decrease productivity by up to 20%.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The French have legal rights to prevent work life from encroaching on personal life, including having legal work-hour limitations and not having to check emails outside those hours.
32:52 - 37:24 (04:31)
Summary
The French have legal rights to prevent work life from encroaching on personal life, including having legal work-hour limitations and not having to check emails outside those hours. Collective efforts can help make individual solutions more widespread.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker emphasizes the importance of individuals and collectives possessing power to effect change in society.
37:24 - 47:04 (09:40)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of individuals and collectives possessing power to effect change in society. They also express their concerns about how the internet's overwhelming amount of information has hindered human growth.
Episode#418 - Johann Hari - Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus
PodcastModern Wisdom
As attention degrades, so does the sense of internal locus of control, and anxiety and stress undermine attention.
47:05 - 1:58:56 (1:11:50)
Summary
As attention degrades, so does the sense of internal locus of control, and anxiety and stress undermine attention. The current business model of social media maximizes the promotion of conspiracy theories and negative content, but it can be changed to heal attention with changes in business incentives.