Attention Evolved to Attach Itself to Meaning
What happens when you consume content on autopilot?
Imagine a frog. The frog will stare at a fly much longer than it will stare at a rock. Why? The fly has meaning.
I heard author Johann Hari describe this on a podcast, and I can’t stop thinking about it. He described it in the context of social media and how the content we consume can evolve to have disproportionate meaning.
At a baby shower earlier this year, I talked to an expectant mother who had grown very concerned about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). She was thinking of buying a baby monitor that could track her newborn’s vitals although she hadn’t used one with her first baby. She said it all started because the TikTok algorithm served her a video about a woman who lost her baby to SIDS. She watched the whole thing, so the algorithm served her another similar video. She watched all of that too, and she felt compassion towards those women. She liked their videos as a way to show support. Of course, the algorithm took this to mean the videos would keep her attention, and it served her more.
She knew her SIDS concern was artificially brought on by social media, but it didn’t matter anymore. The worry had meaning — and a solution in the form of a $300 baby monitor.
As I scroll social media, I find myself also diving deep into the world the algorithm created for me. In this world, I get advice on how to take care of two babies under the age of two. I see infographics with nap schedules, reels with words of encouragement, and carousels with nursery decor ideas. My attention gets so wrapped in this world, I feel myself stressing out about how I’m going care for two little ones when sometimes one feels overwhelming.
But this is the tricky thing about social media. It exploits our curiosities. I am curious about what life would be like with two babies because I might want more children in the future. I probably stopped scrolling on a post about how to manage a growing family, and then the algorithm was off to the races showing me post after post that “might be helpful to know.”
This is perhaps the most empowering and terrifying realization of the way our attention works. We do not just pay attention to things that have meaning for us (like the frog), but in this self-reinforcing cycle, what we pay attention to grows to have meaning as well.
It makes you want to be discerning with what you’re watching, reading, and listening to. It makes you also ask the question — is what you find important a product of what is meaningful to you or is what you find important a product of what you’ve been consuming while on autopilot?
More on Attention Online:
🕹️ How to Take Back Control of What You Read on the Internet
This is an article from the Atlantic on an actionable tool we could all use to engage more meaningfully online. I haven’t tried an RSS Feed in a long time. They feel somewhat clunky to me, but I also haven’t dedicated a lot of time to it. Could be useful. Let me know if you’ve tried or currently use an RSS feed. All tips are welcome!
👀 How to Avoid Distraction with Johann Hari | Offline | Jan 08, 2023
This is the interview where Johann Hari talks about the frog. The whole conversation was interesting and worth the listen!
After listening to this podcast episode, I FINALLY turned off Instagram notifications on my phone. I still check IG, but now at least, it’s somewhat on my terms. Definitely recommend you listen!
On a different note, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who subscribed and showed me so much support! I’m always so grateful for friends and family who encourage my adventures.
If you know someone who might also be interested in ideas on how to live more meaningfully, please feel free to share with them!