How We Became Slaves to the Attention Economy.

Although it may not seem so, people became overwhelmed with information as early as the 19th century, with the emergence of newspapers, novels, various pamphlets, and similar publications. Even then, human protective mechanisms (cognitive) were activated: information filtering (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/information-overload-has-been-around-1800s).

Things became more complicated with the rise of the Internet and digital media. According to Frontiers (https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00023), the amount of information we are bombarded with today is around 74 GB! This is equivalent to watching 16 movies.

So, how do we behave? Selectively attentive. In other words, in the first step, we filter out what we perceive as important from the constant influx of sensory input (sight, hearing, touch, etc.). In the second step, and only then, we try to protect this selectively chosen information from being overwritten or erased by less important information (whichever way you prefer to put it).

And that's why, despite all this information, we largely live in (relative) ignorance.

However, as everyone today "produces" new, revised, refined, outdated, or processed information, they must devise ways to get us to dedicate some of our selective attention, specifically to them.

And that's how we get the ATTENTION ECONOMY. Even if you hadn't read this, you probably all have an example of looking someone straight in the eye while simultaneously thinking about beans and sausage or your upcoming vacation.

Therefore, the attention economy is a concept referring to how human attention is treated as a scarce and valuable resource in modern information society. Which it truly is!

Key aspects of the attention economy are: COMPETITION FOR ATTENTION AND MONETIZATION OF ATTENTION. Logically, the constant struggle for our attention can lead to feelings of information overload, reduced concentration, and negatively impact mental health and well-being.

In the attention economy, CRITICAL THINKING AND AWARENESS OF ONE'S OWN MEDIA CONSUMPTION HABITS BECOME CRUCIAL SKILLS FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY.

All those who deal with critical thinking know that critical thinking does not exist today, but people have, logically, helped themselves again. If I don't have developed critical thinking, I will develop visual skills (because I need them anyway for following digital technologies).

According to Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-clarity/202306/the-decline-of-critical-thinking-skills), research indicates a worrying decline in critical thinking in modern society. For example, one study of younger generation employees found that many are in a survival mindset due to current challenges, limiting their ability for deeper, reflective thinking. This trend is presumably a consequence of increased stress and information overload in the digital age.

And so, today, we can exploit the attention economy however we want, but also in a quite negative context. So, for a like, or a reshare, or a comment, we are even willing to kill.

Given how limited and valuable a resource human attention is, strategies are developed that often manipulate us, primarily to attract, and then to retain, our attention. And of course, we always fall for it.

Basically, today the only important thing is to polarize, to provoke strong reactions like fear, anger, or excitement.

And in doing so, we use all psychological concepts, which, in addition to selective attention, include our dopamine system and rewarding, fear of missing out (FOMO), and all the numerous heuristics and cognitive shortcuts in decision-making.

And us? We are still prone to follow and give attention to content that attracts the attention of others. If something has many likes, comments, or shares, it signals to us that this information is worthy of our attention, even if it is not necessarily relevant or accurate. We still seek content that provokes strong emotional reactions, and we leave judgment to someone else.

Because emotionally charged content is more likely to be shared, liked, and commented on, which increases reach and engagement. And we always fall for it.

But we feel good, because we've made an impact, almost a legacy, and anyway, it turns out that today the only important thing is to feel good.

Therefore, it is crucial to develop critical thinking and awareness of our media consumption habits to protect ourselves from the negative effects of the attention economy and maintain a healthy relationship with information and technology. And ultimately, with the people around us!

Otherwise, everything boils down to "monkey see, monkey do."