Why You Can't Pay Attention - And How to Think Deeply Again | Johann Hari

About this episode

<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p>What is it about modern life that is completely disrupting our ability to focus, and how much of it is our fault? </p> <p> </p> <p>Turns out, not a lot. A number of factors from technology to our sleep habits, and even air pollution, play a role in what causes us to have about the same attention regulation skills as a kitten. In this first episode of our two-part series on focus, guest Johann Hari breaks down why our ability to pay attention is collapsing, and what we can do about it. </p> <p> </p> <p>Johann Hari is the author of <a href= "https://stolenfocusbook.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer"><em>Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again</em></a>. His first book, <a href= "http://chasingthescream.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer"><em>Chasing the Scream: the First and Last Days of the War on Drugs</em></a> was adapted into the Oscar nominated film <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USi-ppCfxEA&pbjreload=101" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The United States Vs Billie Holiday</em></a> as well as a documentary series. </p> <p> </p> <p>Johann is also the author of <a href= "https://johannhari.com/index.php/biography/#:~:text=%E2%80%98Lost%20Connections%3A%20Uncovering%20The%20Real%20Causes%20of%20Depression%20%E2%80%93%20and%20the%20Unexpected%20Solutions%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Lost Connections: Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions</em></a> which was featured in <a href= "https://art19.com/shows/ten-percent-happier/episodes/8ada06e0-3a54-4b71-93e3-9a30239a401a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a previous episode</a>. His <a href= "https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TED</a> <a href= "https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_this_could_be_why_you_re_depressed_or_anxious" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Talks</a> have been viewed more than 80 million times.   </p> <p> </p> <p>In this episode we talk about: </p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Johann's notion that there are twelve factors draining our focus</li> <li>His argument for the importance of both collective and individual action to reclaim our attention</li> <li>What he learned from a self-imposed three-month internet-free experiment</li> <li>How this impacts our children, and what we might do about it </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Full Shownotes:</strong> <a href= "https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/johann-hari-439" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/johann-hari-439</a></p>