Attention vs Algorithms

Attention was once guided largely by intention. Today, it is increasingly guided by design. Everybody assumes everybody suffers from ADHD. In the race to stay interesting, reads and reading both have shortened like mini skirts - just showing what's sexy and necessary.

Then, there's social media. Modern platforms are built to predict, capture, and redirect attention continuously. They do not merely respond to our interests; they train them. Reading, which requires sustained presence and tolerance for delay, now competes with systems optimised for interruption and novelty.