‘Stolen Focus’ examines reasons for the epidemic of shortening attention spans

Johann Hari delves into research on the epidemic of people’s shortening attention spans. Image credit: Amazon.com

by Shuyler Clark

Journalist Johann Hari realized he had trouble focusing. With his attention torn between work, social media, and other factors, his lifestyle felt diminished. Despite his efforts to fix this, including a three-month retreat from the Internet, he could not focus on the things that mattered to him. Suspecting more to his dilemma, Hari delved into research on the epidemic of people’s shortening attention spans, which culminated in his most recent title, Stolen Focus.

During the course of his research, Hari arrived at several theories as to what is crippling our focus. These ranged from the seemingly obvious, like social media, to the less apparent, like our diets and the increased sheltering of younger generations. Hari argues that, while individuals actively engage in technology, the greater responsibility lies with the corporations keeping users glued to their screens to generate more ad revenue. 

He applies the same logic to the food industry, which employs many artificial and ultra-processed products that harm brain development. Children spending more time supervised indoors rather than partaking in spontaneous play also stunts brain development, leading to a lack of creativity and problem-solving skills.

The author features many experts specializing in the aforementioned issues and other issues discussed in the book. While their research does indicate that these factors may be contributing to our attention problems, Hari also indicates areas where said research is contested. However, on many occasions, he does not delve deeply into these counterarguments. In some cases, there is not much research in the area, given that this is a relatively recent phenomenon. Regardless, Hari’s bias is apparent, and the reader is likely to perceive that he errs on the side of believing countering evidence to be inaccurate rather than looking at that evidence objectively.

Aside from his bias, Hari admits, to an extent, that he has more opportunities to escape distractions than most members of the working class. The subjects he interviews argue between taking an individual approach to removing distractions, such as disabling email notifications and changing their diets, versus a wider societal approach, such as banning the surveillance capitalism that allows social media companies to freely gather data on their users. Hari advocates for an in-between, using personal anecdotes to show how his actions have improved his focus. However, not many people can afford a three-month retreat to Provincetown, Mass., devoid of Internet access, nor do most have the financial stability or opportunity to replace their nine-to-five routine with his remote, travel-heavy work style.

That is not to say the information in Stolen Focus is not beneficial in giving people a starting point for improvement. Readers who feel their focus is suffering may benefit from checking out Hari’s book and arriving at their own theories for what is contributing to their attention problems. 

If Hari’s conclusions are accurate and many of our problems are a result of unsuitable environments, it is worth considering what further steps society would need to take to restore our attention.

Shuyler Clark is a graduate of Stockbridge High School and Lansing Community College. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found snuggling with her birds.