Attention + Addiction

“We don’t allow the iPad in our home. We think it’s too dangerous for children.”

—Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple

Who owns your attention?

 Did you even know it was for sale?

 This week, I discovered two concepts that were new to me:  Attention Economy and Addiction Economy. 

We all know that we are seriously distracted daily.  The lead culprit for that distraction is our phone and all media associated with that pesky handheld and readily accessible device.  What I did not know is that there is a whole ECONOMY built to gain that distraction.  The constant attention I give away to my phone every day is frustrating, but I did not understand the intentional engineering involved to garner my attention or the depth to which my personal space was being manipulated. 

 Perhaps I really am THAT naive, but when I read the definition of Attention Economy, I simply got mad. 

 The Attention Economy refers to the modern marketplace where human attention is treated as a scarce and valuable resource. In a world of information overload, businesses, social media platforms, and advertisers compete for people's limited cognitive bandwidth. The term was popularized by economist Herbert A. Simon, who noted that "a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention." This economy thrives on engagement, retention, and monetization of users' time through digital platforms, entertainment, and advertising.

 A few statistics about the Attention Economy:

1.  The average human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in 2000, to 8.25 seconds today. That is shorter than the goldfish’s 9-second attention span. Gives new meaning to Ted Lasso’s comment “be a goldfish.” 
2.   TikTok’s algorithm holds users’ attention for an average of 95 minutes daily. The apps hyper-personalized content keeps users engaged longer than most social platforms.
3.   Notifications interrupt users every 6 minutes on average. Constant digital distractions reduce deep focus and productivity with users checking their phones 96 times a day.
4.   We spend approximately 7 hours per day watching all forms of media (phone, laptop, tv, etc.). That equates to 49 hours a week. More than our full-time jobs. 

 Companies intentionally capture our attention by using behavioral psychology, AI-driven algorithms and engagement-maximizing techniques to retain our attention.  Their sole goal is to maximize screen time, engagement, and their ad revenue.  Through proven techniques like infinite scrolling, auto-play, variable reward systems (used extensively in the gaming/gambling industry) and human “weaknesses” like social validation and FOMO, they keep our brains not only engaged, but demanding more. 

 In other words, the main goal of the attention economy is to intentionally addict us.  All that engagement comes at a huge personal cost.  The “distraction” of our phones leads to increased anxiety and depression being fed by constant exposure to curated and unrealistic content. Which, in turn, increases social comparison, self-doubt and low-self-esteem.

 Other impacts include sleep disruption and insomnia.  And digital addiction causes an imbalance in our dopamine levels.  Social media hijacks the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive behaviors and a desensitization of dopamine receptors, making real-life activities seem less rewarding.  The Attention Economy exploits the same neurological pathways as gambling and substance abuse.  Stealing our attention CREATES addictive behaviors. 

 As if all this wasn’t maddening enough, I got curious and began to wonder if there was such a thing as an “Addiction Economy.”  Surprise, or not, yes, such a thing exists.  The first website I found was a small group from the UK (www.theaddictioneconomy.com) whose white paper on this issue states, “The Addiction Economy is the term we created to describe those companies whose business models knowingly and unashamedly erode our ability to control our usage of their products beyond the point at which they harm us”. (Emphasis added)

 The attention economy (social media, digital content, gaming, notifications) creates an environment where people’s focus is constantly manipulated. The addiction economy then monetizes this compulsive engagement through gambling, alcohol, drugs, fast food, pornography, shopping, and even pharmaceuticals.  Both attention and addiction economies use similar strategies to impact our physical, mental and emotional health. 

 What is the other thing they both have in common?  Despite the insidious nature and tactics employed by both, they state that our inability to stop being influenced by them is OUR problem.  They lure us into addiction and then tell us that addiction is our fault.  If WE just had more willpower, their products would cause us no harm at all. 

 The ultimate paradox highlighting the perspective that this is OUR problem, starts with a book written in 2014 by Nir Eyal, a behavioral engineer, entitled, “Hooked:  How to Build Habit Forming Products”.  It was celebrated by Silicon Valley and is used widely in app design.  He touted the “Hook Model”, a four-step process that companies use to capture attention and influence behavior.  

 In his 2019 follow-up book, “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life”, Mr. Eyal shifts the focus from designing habit-forming products to helping individuals reclaim control over their attention. He argues that distraction isn’t caused solely by technology but also by internal triggers such as stress, boredom, and discomfort. While he acknowledges that apps and smartphones exploit human psychology, he ultimately places the responsibility on individuals to manage their own attention.

 It is hypocritical, to say the least that, Eyal, who played a role in promoting the very engagement strategies that contribute to these internal struggles, now suggests that the burden is entirely on users to exercise "willpower”.  Even as they continue to be bombarded daily with the same psychological triggers he once advocated for.

 Here is the biggest mistruth regarding Attention and Addiction Economies:

 "Your addiction is your fault."

 The reality:

• They design the systems to trap you.
• They profit from your struggles.
• They shame you when you can't escape.

 For those of us already dealing with a personal addiction (alcohol, cigarettes, food, shopping, etc.) it makes becoming un-addicted much more challenging.  We avoid our acknowledged substance or behavior, but we are daily kept on the dopamine hamster wheel.  Not to mention that advertising and social media also send images of addictive behaviors, such as drinking, being normalized.  It reinforces the message that, “others can handle their behavior, why can’t you?” 

 The concepts of Attention Economy and Addiction Economy are both far too vast to cover in one blog.  I plan on revisiting aspects of each in future blogs.  For now, I want anyone dealing with addiction to understand that the shame we are made to feel for not having more “willpower” is not our fault.  However, it is up to us to understand the impacts of our behavior and change what we can to minimize our exposure to anything that might run the risk of “triggering” us. 

 Breaking free isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding the system and consciously stepping out of it.  Remembering that we always have choice about how we spend our time, energy and money.  My hope is that this blog and future blogs will empower you to start asking questions and noticing what choices ARE available to you.  The most important thing you can do to influence these economies?  Take back control of your attention, time, and choice. 

Next week, I will explore ways we can do just that, but in the meantime, notice your actions throughout the day.  Make time for peace and quiet and put the phone down. 

Much love to you all,

Lisa