The sirens' call : how attention became the world's most endangered resource
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-305) and index.

"From the NYT-bestselling author and television and podcast host, a powerful wide-angle reckoning with how the assault from attention capitalism on our minds and our hearts has reordered our politics and the very fabric of our society"--

The modern world presents a challenge: distractions, a loss of focus, and an increasing tendency to engage with things that may not be serving our best interests. We encounter people absorbed in their phones, sometimes even noticing it in ourselves. In social settings, it's common to see individuals engrossed in their devices rather than engaging with those around them. There has been a significant shift in how we balance the public and private spheres--historically, this boundary was more defined, but now, as Chris Hayes points out, "With the help of a few tech firms, we basically tore it down in about a decade." Hayes suggests that this moment in history mirrors the changes seen in labor during the nineteenth century, where attention has become a commodity extracted from individuals, creating a sense of alienation. The Sirens' Call aims to offer clarity and guidance in this era of transition. There is a breaking point: devices and notifications are designed to capture our attention at all hours, serving the interests of powerful companies that profit from our focus. As Hayes notes, "Now our deepest neurological structures, human evolutionary inheritances, and social impulses are in a habitat designed to prey upon, to cultivate, distort, or destroy that which most fundamentally makes us human." The Sirens' Call offers a comprehensive framework to understand and address this issue, helping individuals reclaim control over their time, attention, and ultimately, their future.