Attention
The Scarcity and Abundance of Sustained Concentration
Introduction
Attention is something we pay, we call out, and increasingly, we seem to lack. It's a span, an economy, a deficit disorder. But what is attention really, and might cultivating it benefit our mental health and improve the quality of our lives? In our digital age, attention appears to have become a scarce commodity, giving rise to the concept of an "attention economy" where information systems competes for our limited cognitive resources. But is this reality? Or just a small slice of what attention is and can be?
So we ask, is attention a kind of intense focus, a muscled effort of the ego? Or is it, as philosopher Simone Weil suggests, a form of "negative effort" - a radical immersion in the other without goal or destination? Is it a quieting of the mind, akin to mindfulness and contemplation? Or is a practice, a bearing witness of sorts, indeed a form of caretaking? The nature of attention extends far beyond the often-discussed realms of social media and technology.
Our world seems increasingly distracting, yet it may be our priorities that have shifted--from the difficult task that is doing nothing to multitasking and optimization, maybe even rewiring our brains in the process. Research suggests our attention patterns are indeed changing, but like many aspects of human cognition, attention's value may be context-dependent. The crucial question may not be how we can control our attention, but rather: can we give in to it? Can we allow ourselves to be subject to our own 'thing-ness' in the world, fully present and engaged without the constant urge to direct or manipulate our focus? As we navigate our cognitive-emotional landscapes, understanding and embracing various forms of attention--from focused concentration to open, receptive awareness--may offer a truer picture of the paradox that is life in a complex and information-rich world.
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