Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus - Johann Hari

Johann Hari is a writer & a journalist. You probably struggle to focus on the task you're doing. You probably wish that you could pay attention for longer and that you were less easily distracted. Why is this such a common problem? Is this a byproduct of the modern era? Technology? Social Media? Johann has travelled the world trying to work out what is going on. Expect to learn how your attention system works, whether attention loss is reversible, whether modern life is going to further decrease our productivity, the relationship between sleep and focus, what impact stress and diet has, whether phone addiction is to blame, the single biggest influence Johann found which no one is talking about, the strategies which help to regain focus and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://www.manscaped.com/ (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D and Free Shipping from Athletic Greens at https://athleticgreens.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Stolen Focus - https://amzn.to/3JIXg51 Follow Johann on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johann.hari/ Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #focus #attention #productivity - 00:00 Intro 00:33 Why Johann Studied Attention 11:22 Parable of the TikTokkers 15:33 What is Attention & How Does it Work? 20:08 How Detrimental is Constant Task-Switching? 30:37 Should there be Systemic Changes to Improve Attention? 43:32 Flow States for Wellbeing 1:02:52 How Sleep Relates to Focus 1:12:51 The Top Causes of Attention Loss 1:25:47 Are We to Blame for Device Addiction? 1:39:03 Johann’s Strategies to Enhance Attention 1:51:14 Where to Find Johann - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Johann HariguestChris Williamsonhost

Jan 6, 20221h 53mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: January 6, 2022
Duration: 1h 53m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Johann Hari is a writer & a journalist. You probably struggle to focus on the task you're doing. You probably wish that you could pay attention for longer and that you were less easily distracted. Why is this such a common problem? Is this a byproduct of the modern era? Technology? Social Media? Johann has travelled the world trying to work out what is going on. Expect to learn how your attention system works, whether attention loss is reversible, whether modern life is going to further decrease our productivity, the relationship between sleep and focus, what impact stress and diet has, whether phone addiction is to blame, the single biggest influence Johann found which no one is talking about, the strategies which help to regain focus and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://www.manscaped.com/ (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D and Free Shipping from Athletic Greens at https://athleticgreens.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Stolen Focus - https://amzn.to/3JIXg51 Follow Johann on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johann.hari/ Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #focus #attention #productivity - 00:00 Intro 00:33 Why Johann Studied Attention 11:22 Parable of the TikTokkers 15:33 What is Attention & How Does it Work? 20:08 How Detrimental is Constant Task-Switching? 30:37 Should there be Systemic Changes to Improve Attention? 43:32 Flow States for Wellbeing 1:02:52 How Sleep Relates to Focus 1:12:51 The Top Causes of Attention Loss 1:25:47 Are We to Blame for Device Addiction? 1:39:03 Johann’s Strategies to Enhance Attention 1:51:14 Where to Find Johann - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Johann Hari
guest
Chris Williamson
host
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Johann Hari and Chris Williamson, Why You Can't Pay Attention And Focus - Johann Hari explores johann Hari Exposes Modern Attention Crisis And How To Fight Back Johann Hari argues that we are living through a genuine attention crisis driven by at least 12 scientifically-identified causes, many of which have intensified in the modern world. He describes how collapsing focus undermines our ability to achieve personal goals, know who we are, and coordinate as a society, using stories from his godson, social media stars, and his own three‑month digital detox. Hari distinguishes between individual tactics (sleep, tech barriers, flow, better habits) and systemic fixes (regulating business models, pollution, work culture, and childhood) and warns that self-help alone becomes “cruel optimism” if it ignores structural factors. He calls for a dual strategy: take radical personal responsibility for your own attention while also banding together to change the environmental and technological conditions that are “pouring itching powder” on our minds.

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