You have agency over your own attention

Last updated Aug 15, 2023

• Source: Venkatesh Rao; Sources/Breaking Smart - Newsletter
• Keywords: Cards/permanent notes
  • #attention #cognition #psychology
• Relevant Notes:
  • Cards/Attention is a zero-sum game
  • Cards/Everybody gets to choose what they worship
  • Cards/The alternative to freedom is unconsciousness
  • Cards/Willpower and motivation is finite

• See Cards/Waldenponding and Miscellaneous Notes/Literature Notes/Breaking Smart - Literature Notes
• E.G. ad blockers, cogntive frames
  • Therefore, if you think your attention is getting “hacked”, it’s because you’re allowing it

you aren’t an NPC – non-playing/playable character – in the battle for your own attention. You have tools ranging from ad blockers to cognitive reframes. If you’re letting your attention get “hacked”, it’s because you’re choosing to. ==If you think the only kind of agency you have is the agency to uncritically withdraw to save your soul, you’ve been pwned, but it isn’t by the tech platforms.==