Johann Hari discovered that our inability to focus is not due to personal failure but rather to external forces. He discovered twelve deep causes of this crisis, including the decline of mind-wandering and rising pollution.
Hari introduces readers to Silicon Valley dissidents who hack human attention, veterinarians diagnosing dogs with ADHD, and a favela in Rio de Janeiro where everyone lost their attention in a surreal way.
He also explores a favela in Rio de Janeiro where everyone lost their attention in a surreal way and an office in New Zealand that discovered a remarkable technique to restore workers’ productivity. Hari learnt how to reclaim our focus as individuals and as a society if we are determined to fight for it.
Read about Lost Connections – Johann Hari with this detailed guide!
About the Author
Johann Hari is a journalist and author. Among other newspapers, he has contributed to The Guardian, Le Monde, and The New York Times. Over 70 million people have watched his TED Talks, and a wide spectrum of individuals, including Joe Rogan, Noam Chomsky, and Oprah Winfrey, have commended his work.
Review
“[A] new perspective on attention and focus… This book will teach you a lot, and its thoroughly researched information is presented in a very readable manner that is interspersed with anecdotes and personal tales. That is to say, it will hold your interest in spite of everything. —The Journal of Wall Street
“Hari’s writing is very readable. Stolen Focus takes a step back and examines the ecosystem that created the problem, whereas other books about our relationship with technology tend to focus on personal responsibility, stressing the importance of self-control.” —Chronicle of San Francisco
“Well-known applications and websites aim to divert users since it’s the secret to success. These businesses profit when we’re looking at our screens but not when we’re not. It’s definitely a call to action, and I’m tempted to share it with my Twitter followers, but I’ve removed the app from my phone. —The Post in Washington
“This is the book for you if you made a resolve to be more focused this year. The author is “a thoughtful critic of our modern malaise,” according to [Adam] Grant.—Inc.
“A compelling examination of the reasons behind our diminished ability to focus and how we might regain it.” Long after you’ve done, you’ll continue to think and consider because of stolen focus. —Adam Grant
“Johann Hari writes like a dream. In addition to being a storyteller and songwriter, he is an unwavering researcher of one of the biggest issues facing the world: the deliberate deterioration of our focus. For mental health reasons, read this book. —Susan Cain
Read about Chasing the Scream – Johann Hari with this detailed guide!
“Johann Hari is the only person I know who is considering the crisis of our collective attention more thoroughly or comprehensively. The importance of this text cannot be overstated. Please take a seat and concentrate. —Klein Naomi
Excellent… With the tempo, glitz, and vigour of the finest thriller, Stolen Focus is a masterfully researched and argued examination of how humanity’s attention span is failing.—Stephen Fry
“You must read this outstanding book if you wish to regain your focus and attention. Johann Hari has figured out the reason for our current dilemma and the solution. This message must be heard by all of us. —Huffington, Ariana
“In his distinct voice, Johann Hari addresses the serious threats that information technology poses to humanity and raises the alarm about what each of us needs to do to safeguard our democracies, our children, and ourselves.” Hillary Clinton
“An innovative, systematic, imaginative, and useful manual for building the new world… Johann Hari definitely got me to pay attention with his incessant research and brilliant insight. This book has the power to change lives. Eve Ensler
“An essential book, a marvel of depth and clarity, and a poignant, well-researched cautionary tale followed by an incredibly motivating call to action… After reading it and crying, wipe your tears and join in. —Emma Thompson
Read about Irresistible – Adam Alter with this detailed guide!
Summary
Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus contains a number of startling facts and case stories. The collapse of prolonged reading is one such area. It’s possible that you are unable to concentrate on reading a book in its entirety if you are reading this summary of the Stolen Focus book.
In an average year, 57% of Americans do not read a single book. Rather, they use their phones for about 5.4 hours every day.
It’s simple to place the blame on yourself if you have trouble reading. What’s wrong with you? You’re not good enough and you’re lazy. Johann Hari makes the case in Stolen Focus that you are not the issue.
Your inability to concentrate is a system issue. The large tech companies have created an environment that is meant to capture your interest. You can’t use willpower to win this battle. While the average person can make changes, Johann Hari contends that a systemic overhaul is necessary.