May I Have Your Attention, Please?

I’ve been on Youtube more than I want to be since we started publishing a daily video.

I’m not talking about the time spent editing and uploading the video, I’m talking time spent watching videos.

I’m not happy about that.

The “Algorithm” is good. Too good.

The Algorithm is what we call the collective artificial intelligence of the internet.

The magnitude of what these algorithms know about us is literally beyond comprehension - beyond the power of a human being to process.

Every single thing you click, read, watch, and search is used to build a behind the scenes profile on you.

You don’t have to be logged in. Sites track what you’re clicking on and watching even without an account.

It doesn’t matter where you go for your dopamine fix. Youtube, Facebook, TikTok - they’re all using AI to figure out how to keep you on the platform longer.

They want your attention, and they want it bad.

Your “profile” is used for two related purposes - to keep your attention and monetize it.

They profile you, they compare you to other profiles, they figure out what you will find irresistible to click on, and they mine that for everything it’s worth.

From what I can tell, it’s worth quite a lot.

If you have spent any time in person with me over the past few years, you have probably heard me talk about this and how dangerous I think it is.

I still don’t think that most people take this seriously enough.

I think our attention is our most valuable asset. Your ability to direct your attention is the source of everything that makes you, you.

If you hand over your attention to the Algorithm for a dopamine drip, you do so at your own peril.

The goal of the Algorithm is not your happiness.

The Algorithm is self serving. The Algorithm wants your attention, and it doesn’t care what you have to sacrifice for it to have it.

How does it get it?

Do you think it is appealing to your highest and best self? Is it appealing to the part of you that wants to reach for something better?

To understand why the Algorithm works so well, you should be familiar with a concept called “Supernormal Stimuli”.

Supernormal stimuli were introduced to me many years ago on a site called Sparring Mind. Here’s that article. I highly recommend reading it.

The idea is that in the evolutionary history that led to human beings, our ancestors developed strong responses to certain stimuli because it helped them survive, procreate, and raise their children.

These responses were good. Without them, we may not even be here.

The problem is that some of these triggers can be hijacked and generate even stronger responses than they were meant to.

If you aren’t mindful, you can get trapped by the algorithm. You can give up hours and hours of your time to consuming content that doesn’t actually contribute to your happiness.

For some people, it seems like the opposite is true - the more content they consume, the farther away they get from being happy.

This isn’t that surprising considering the Algorithm exposes us to triggering content and the highlight reels of other people’s lives.

Have you ever noticed how much content makes you angry, whether it be on the news or elsewhere? This is by design. Content that makes you angry is the most "triggering" of all.

Here is a great video that explains why.

Of all the things that you can do to make giant strides towards creating the best life you can for yourself, taking back control of your attention is at the top of the list. Without your attention, you are doomed to failure.

So let’s start with a simple question.

What is your screen time? Do you know?

I encourage you to go check. Not just the overall number, but what apps you are on. Don’t just stop with your phone. What about your TV, computer, and tablet?

When you add it all up, how much of your time is spent exposed to an Algorithm that is designed to harvest your attention for profit?

Are you comfortable with this number?

Be warned that right about now Resistance will be screaming at you that this time is productive and that you like it. Resistance loves screen time.

Obviously screens and video content can be highly productive, useful, and enjoyable.

The problem is the quantity. The problem is when quality screen time devolves into an inactive commonplace.

What can you do about it?

The first habit in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is “Be Proactive”.

Being proactive means recognizing that there is a gap between stimulus and response and using that gap to choose what path you want to take moving forward.

When you are comsuming content, this can be as simple as asking yourself if you are in your "circle of influence" or not.

I find that when it comes to supernatural stimuli, it helps to go a step further. If you can create a gap between you and the stimulus, you will be much more successful.

In other words, find a way to disrupt the habits.

Here are some ideas to that end...

• If there are apps that seem to be wholly destructive, be proactive and delete them.
• If there are apps that you sometimes use well and sometimes use destructively, disrupt your current route to getting inside them. Move the app into a folder that requires a different set of swipes than you are used to. This little difference can be enough to help you recall your desire to not get sucked in to watching the next video.
• Whenever possible, use a private browser. My browser of choice at the moment is DuckDuckGo. I don’t know if it’s the best, but at least every search I do isn’t feeding an algorithm designed to harvest my attention.

This is not an easy road to travel, but my experience is that it is a road worth traveling. Every hour I've been able to take back and mindfully redirect to the places I want my energy to flow has paid huge dividends for me.

If your excuse for not doing something is because you don't have the time, here's your chance to magically find it.

Check your screen time. Most people dramatically underestimate what theirs actually is.

I do not know many people who can measure their daily screen time in minutes. How many hours are you spending?

What if you redirected 20 minutes to something new?

Read a book, go on a hike, meditate, or paint a picture.

Take a sliver of attention back from the Algorithm and use it for your own benefit.

If you decide to do anything, let me know. I'd love to hear your thoughts on all this.

Now if you'll excuse me, my attention should probably be on my laboring wife.

Life is good!

P.S. Here is that link to the Supernormal Stimuli article again. Go read it.