“[A] fresh take on focus and attention . . . You’ll learn a lot from this book, and its well-researched data is presented in a highly readable style laced with stories and personal anecdotes. Which is to say, against all odds, it will hold your attention.”
The Wall Street Journal
In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari offers a meticulously researched and thought-provoking examination of the modern attention crisis.
Drawing from over 250 interviews with experts in neuroscience, psychology, education, and technology, Hari challenges the prevailing assumption that declining focus is a matter of personal discipline.
He presents a compelling argument that our attention is being systematically undermined by external forces ranging from digital platforms engineered for distraction to broader societal and environmental changes.
The book outlines twelve interconnected causes contributing to the erosion of focus.
Hari’s global investigation reveals how shifts in technology design, sleep patterns, diet, pollution, and even educational systems are collectively impairing our ability to engage in deep, sustained thought. These insights are particularly valuable for understanding the broader context behind decreased productivity and decision fatigue.
His work also serves as a guide to potential individual and systemic solutions.
He explores evidence-based strategies for restoring attention, from restructured work environments to policy-level reforms, all aimed at fostering conditions that support clarity and creativity. Hari’s emphasis on collective responsibility makes a compelling case for rethinking how organizations and societies value focus.
Stolen Focus offers a warning as well as a path forward, urging a reassessment of how attention is managed in our personal lives and institutions.
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