{"id":34691,"date":"2021-05-08T14:45:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-08T18:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=34691"},"modified":"2026-04-26T20:52:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T00:52:13","slug":"attention-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/attention-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Strategies to Resist the Pull of the Attention Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Who came up with the “attention economy” term? Do you think human attention can be considered an economic resource?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201cattention economy\u201d was coined by psychologist, economist, and Herbert A. Simon. The term is used to describe a business model in which advertisers pay publishers or platforms for access to people\u2019s time and attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn about the rise of the attention economy and some strategies that can help you resist its pull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Rise of the Attention Economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The attention economy<\/a> actually existed long before smartphones and tablets, but its current size and power is unprecedented. <\/strong>This business model traces back to 1830, with the publication of the first penny press newspaper, the New York Sun<\/em>. Instead of printing high-quality stories and charging accordingly, the Sun<\/em>\u2019s publisher filled the paper with advertisements and mass-interest stories, and he dropped the price to just a penny. The business model was then adopted by tabloids, radio, television, and the internet. Then, iPhones and subsequent smartphones marked a significant turning point: Portable digital devices made it possible to grab consumers\u2019 attention throughout the day, while the data they collected on consumers\u2019 habits and preferences enabled advertisers to launch hyper-targeted ads.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since tech companies have a vested interest in keeping you addicted to your devices, reclaiming control of your attention<\/a> requires strong conviction and thorough planning. First, change how you view and use digital tools. Tech companies like Facebook present their products as foundational technologies (like electricity and cell phones) that you either use or you don\u2019t\u2014and, if you don\u2019t, you\u2019re an outlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategies for Reclaiming Your Time and Attention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Resisting the attention economy is a David-and-Goliath battle against tech companies\u2019 efforts to keep your eyes glued to your screens. Here are some strategies to arm yourself for the fight:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Delete your social media apps.<\/strong> These apps are designed to be more addictive than the web versions, so the best way to disarm the attention economy\u2019s most potent weapon is to delete the apps from your smartphone. When tech companies shifted their services to mobile apps, their influence and advertising revenues skyrocketed. Since apps proved to be a major money-maker, social media companies invested heavily in making them as addictive as possible. The swipe-down method of refreshing the newsfeed on Facebook\u2019s mobile app was designed to increase user engagement because it plays into intermittent positive reinforcement. In addition to the addictive designs, social media apps are always with you when they\u2019re on your smartphone, making it almost impossible to resist checking them when you have a few free moments while waiting in a lobby or standing in a checkout line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key to this advice is that you don\u2019t have to stop using social media entirely\u2014you just need to change the way you use them so that you have more control. Since you\u2019ll have to log onto a computer to access those platforms, it will naturally limit how often you use them, and you\u2019ll be more selective about when and why you log on. Many people who have tried this strategy changed the way they used social media: Instead of signing on frequently and scrolling aimlessly, they began using it briefly just a couple of times a week for specific uses. Other people stopped using social media, because the barrier of logging onto a computer for access outweighed the benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Limit your smartphone\u2019s capabilities.<\/strong> Block all distracting apps, websites, and functions on your digital devices, ideally by default or on a set schedule\u2014for example, during work hours\u2014and then unblock certain services when you need them. There are several digital tools that help you to create these blocks, such as Freedom and SelfControl. The goal is to turn your smartphone, tablet, or computer into a single-use device as much as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When computers were first invented, it was the first time that a single machine could perform a wide variety of tasks, as opposed to something like a calculator that could do only calculations. Consumers valued the fact that computers allowed them to be more productive<\/a> with just one piece of equipment. Over time, people began to use computers to perform multiple tasks all at once<\/em>. However, switching back and forth among different apps and functions is less efficient than focusing on one task at a time\u2014especially because those apps are designed to pull you into a time warp of distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Use social media strategically.<\/strong> When it comes to being intentional about digital use, take a cue from social media professionals, such as marketing directors and social media strategists\u2014they have to be smart about avoiding distractions<\/a>, or they\u2019d get nothing done. The best defense is a good offense. If you create a plan<\/a> for using technology in a way that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the pitfalls, you\u2019ll be better able to avoid distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the social media habits of one professional as examples of strategies you could use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n