I am currently reading “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How To Think Deeply Again” by Johann Hari in which he writes about our inability to focus, pay attention and think deeply the way we once could. He says:
“… we think our inability to focus is a personal failure to exert enough willpower over our devices. The truth is even more disturbing: our focus has been stolen by powerful external forces that have left us uniquely vulnerable to corporations determined to raid our attention for profit.”
In the book he writes about the often discussed obvious causes including smart phones, social media and the internet. In later chapters he covers the processed food industry, big pharma, environmental pollution causes, chemical/biohazard causes and medicine.
Throughout the book, he makes the argument that an individual is nearly powerless to improve one’s focus because we are battling against these huge corporations, industrial complexes and systems that have put systems in place to maximize their profits at the expense of the wellbeing of society.
He makes some strong arguments and presents many details of how these systems negatively affect our ability to focus.
But, I disagree that individuals are powerless.
Because, I’ve fought many of these battles and have won.
By embracing minimalism and frugality, I’ve opted out of many of the traps of a consumeristic lifestyle.
By examining the food I eat and the chemicals I’m exposed to, over time I eliminated all processed foods from my diet and most toxic chemicals from my household (I’m a big fan of water, vinegar and Dr. Bronners to clean nearly everything).
By maintaining a healthy skepticism of the medical/pharma/insurance system, I avoid many of the ills associated with being manipulated as a medical consumer.
Would it be easier if we had better regulations and government support like other Westernized countries do? Sure. But I deal in reality. My reality is dealing with what’s in front of me today.
His book inspired me to rethink how I’ve been consuming podcasts for entertainment. As a result, I’ve unsubscribed from at least half of the podcasts I’ve been listening to regularly.
Mostly, they provide me with mindless entertainment when I am doing chores or driving. I’ve kept the ones that are the most entertaining and though provoking. The rest I eliminated.
I’m going to try listening to nothing instead when I cook, clean, drive and mow the lawn.
Last year, when I first got Sparkles and was adjusting to walking two energetic dogs, I stopped using my cell phone during dog walks. That works out so well that I now usually walk without my phone at all. Instead I pay attention to the neighborhood, the dogs, the birds, the construction workers, and what is around me.
I don’t think that listening to fewer podcasts that cover cover events, news and business will hurt me in the least. But I’m certain that hearing the birds sing more will improve my life and probably my ability to focus.
