The economics of attention has evolved from ancient rhetoric to the digital age. In classical times, orators used verbal techniques to capture audiences' focus. As literacy spread, attention shifted to written texts, with typography and book design playing crucial roles. The printing press democratized information, increasing competition for readers' time. The 20th century saw attention become a commodity with the rise of mass media and advertising. In the digital age, information overload has made attention even scarcer and more valuable. Online platforms, social media, and sophisticated algorithms now vie for users' limited cognitive resources. The challenge has shifted from information scarcity to filtering signal from noise, with design, interactivity, and personalization becoming key strategies in the attention economy.
top of page
Recent Posts
See AllIn our hyperconnected world of endless notifications and digital distractions, Simone Weil's words ring truer than ever: "Attention is...
10
"In 1971, Herbert Simon, a professor of computer science and psychology at Carnegie Mellon, made a prescient prediction. “In an...
00
In a fascinating New Yorker piece, Nathan Heller explores our modern attention crisis through multiple lenses. From advertisers measuring...
10
bottom of page
Comments