I ordered it (secondhand score!) when you mentioned the book, because it sounded interesting & I like that sort of read. Honestly there's a lot I took away, even though I agree with you that it's perhaps not the most well-researched/factually correct/etc etc... I could see myself in a lot of what he said, and that was what mattered to me. I think my biggest realisation was it really sunk in this time that it isn't a personal failing on my part. The whole "What's wrong with me? Why can't I stop using my phone?" isn't just me 'being ADHD' - no, I'm being digitally and technologically manipulated and influenced to use this stuff for as many hours as possible. I would've liked to have seen more practical advice though, as to what to do about it.
Oooo yes I loved this too - the shift of responsibility onto not only the consumer but also the producer of the software and the complex social/cultural influences too. It helps with self compassion, especially those of us with ADHD.
I enjoyed Stolen Focus, it was a totally sufficient popular-science aggregation of thinking for the general public, and certainly more readable than Jaron Lanier's "Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now", for example.
Still, I think that Hari is quite conscious of the plagiarism scandal in his past, and the impact it's had on his image. To the point that he's written a book so citation-heavy that it detracts from the flow (pun unintended) a bit. Hari's even supplied audio of many interviews on his website, at if to cut off doubt at the pass. (https://stolenfocusbook.com/audio/).
I think Hari makes some fine points and interviews some interesting people. But as some others have commented (Hey Jennifer!), he's not the only person making them. Still, I've enjoyed reading several books on attention and technology, and mapping out where there's consensus vs. disagreement.
I'm just tucking in to Jenny Odell's "Saving Time", bit late to the game. 😁 Interested to see how it fits in with other work on the topic, as well as her first book, "How to Do Nothing".
Interesting reflections Erin, thank you - I also saw the section of Hari’s website in which he addresses some of the Tweets claiming he mis-cited research.
I read and enjoyed How To Do Nothing but not Saving Time - would love to know if you think it’s worth a read!
I consumed this book in two sittings. Really liked it. I have absolutely noticed that social media has decreased my attention span as well as my appreciation of nuance. I'm autistic so it's easy for me to move back into black and white thinking, something I have worked hard to move out of. I deleted all social media a few weeks ago and honestly, I don't miss it at all.
I have read the book Deep Work previously and heard a lot about the myth of multi-tasking, and I agree. I need long uninterrupted stretches to really focus. I really appreciated how the author points out that some tech co.s are insinuating that there is an individual solution to a systemic problem. We should just resist and if we can't. they suggest, it's a moral failing. This is just like so many other issues: mental and physical health, environmental issues etc. We're told to just focus on our own behavior. it's a start, but it's not enough. A collective solution is required.
I have made some adjustments to my own behavior. I took all the apps off my phone that lead to distraction. I keep my phone silenced most of the time and let people know that they will probably never get me to answer the phone spontaneously. I am considering getting a flip phone to have if people need to reach me in an emergency, so I can only go online when it's a choice, not a distraction. I have two adult children and a teen about to go to college, so I don't want to be out of reach for them.
I am thinking about the best ways to fill the void, as they say. I have my art supplies set up so they're easy to access and spend a lot of time gardening now. I signed up for the #1000wordsofsummer so that's getting me to write more consistently. Also taking my camera, not iphone with me in nature and that's been fun. I correspond with my 82-year-old uncle who is brilliant, lives on a remote part of Indonesia, and has never had social media. He has a global perspective on issues bc he's been everywhere and knows so much about world history, music, art, it's like having my own personal professor! Thanks for choosing this book! great pic. I think I will read it with friends too : )
Love this reflection! You sound like you’re in a very similar life phase to me. I am looking at ways to disconnect from my phone even more and have thought about a separate ‘dumb’ phone and camera too!
Growing veggies has been a great project for me and very rewarding.
I enjoyed reading your reflections, thank so much for sharing - given so much focus is on the individual solving their own problems with social media use (as you point out) it is powerful to connect with others who see the issue is systemic and who wish to actually make changes in their lives to minimise the impact. It sounds like you’re creating a very fulfilling life for yourself with your art and garden and writing, which is inspiring to hear about - and your uncle sounds absolutely awesome!! I bet he has some cool stories. Hope you enjoy reading this with your friends too!
I read this book about 18 months ago and the points that have persisted with me are
* various factors in society (not just tech) have negatively impacted how our brains work and reduced our ability to focus
* social media was designed to be addictive, manipulative and provide a dopamine hit
* our brains do not function at their best when we expect them to multi-task
* we benefit greatly from flow states
I really enjoyed this book and gained a lot of insights. I agree, it isn't perhaps the most scientifically researched but I felt there was enough there that was evidence based to trust the theories presented. I also feel that the more relaxed writing style makes it a good book for teenagers to read.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Charlie and the opportunity to re-visit this about this book !
Love these succinct take-aways Carolyn. When I read the last one it occurred to me - I wonder if flow states are the same or similar to hyperfocus states? I will look into that!
Great point about the writing style being more accessible to teenagers. I like the way he intersperses his own anecdotal experiences with the research - it helps to keep me engaged!
I would say flow and hyper focus are very similar but it would be interesting to know whether the brain is reacting in a similar way during the process.
I've been listening on audio and am at about the same point as you (though I need to return it to the library and will be finishing it within the next few days).
I think the biggest thing that's stood out to me - and that I want to continue to carry forward - is the part about needing to fill the time you might have spent with distracting technology with something that can induce flow instead. I've very much been seeing this play out in my life lately, as I've spent much more time reading, writing, drawing, gardening, etc and haven't missed the time I would've been on my phone at all.
I think for a long time I was waiting to feel like I could focus on those things and filling the time with more technology because - what else was there to do? But now I allocate specific time for the things that bring me joy and I've found that the more I do it, the easier it is to focus.
Your insights shimmer with a refreshing clarity, reminiscent of a morning mist lifting to reveal a hidden landscape. Hari’s reflections on attention tug at the mind, challenging us to rethink our symbiosis with technology. Yet, in the pursuit of focus, let us not forsake the serendipity of a wandering thought or the beauty found in a fleeting distraction. Balance, perhaps, is where we find our true center.
I don’t disagree with the general idea, but the author himself has been discredited in the past due to plagiarism and using fake testimony. As an alternative view the neuroscientist Dean Burnett has written reviews and thoughts in the past. He used to write a column for the guardian but is now an author of several neuroscience books.
Thanks for sharing Dean’s work Jennifer - I’ve not come across him but I googled him and saw he writes a bit on Substack too! Will check out his work on this topic specifically.
I ordered it (secondhand score!) when you mentioned the book, because it sounded interesting & I like that sort of read. Honestly there's a lot I took away, even though I agree with you that it's perhaps not the most well-researched/factually correct/etc etc... I could see myself in a lot of what he said, and that was what mattered to me. I think my biggest realisation was it really sunk in this time that it isn't a personal failing on my part. The whole "What's wrong with me? Why can't I stop using my phone?" isn't just me 'being ADHD' - no, I'm being digitally and technologically manipulated and influenced to use this stuff for as many hours as possible. I would've liked to have seen more practical advice though, as to what to do about it.
Oooo yes I loved this too - the shift of responsibility onto not only the consumer but also the producer of the software and the complex social/cultural influences too. It helps with self compassion, especially those of us with ADHD.
Yes!!! That’s a huge takeaway. None of this is our fault!!
I enjoyed Stolen Focus, it was a totally sufficient popular-science aggregation of thinking for the general public, and certainly more readable than Jaron Lanier's "Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now", for example.
Still, I think that Hari is quite conscious of the plagiarism scandal in his past, and the impact it's had on his image. To the point that he's written a book so citation-heavy that it detracts from the flow (pun unintended) a bit. Hari's even supplied audio of many interviews on his website, at if to cut off doubt at the pass. (https://stolenfocusbook.com/audio/).
I think Hari makes some fine points and interviews some interesting people. But as some others have commented (Hey Jennifer!), he's not the only person making them. Still, I've enjoyed reading several books on attention and technology, and mapping out where there's consensus vs. disagreement.
I'm just tucking in to Jenny Odell's "Saving Time", bit late to the game. 😁 Interested to see how it fits in with other work on the topic, as well as her first book, "How to Do Nothing".
Interesting reflections Erin, thank you - I also saw the section of Hari’s website in which he addresses some of the Tweets claiming he mis-cited research.
I read and enjoyed How To Do Nothing but not Saving Time - would love to know if you think it’s worth a read!
I consumed this book in two sittings. Really liked it. I have absolutely noticed that social media has decreased my attention span as well as my appreciation of nuance. I'm autistic so it's easy for me to move back into black and white thinking, something I have worked hard to move out of. I deleted all social media a few weeks ago and honestly, I don't miss it at all.
I have read the book Deep Work previously and heard a lot about the myth of multi-tasking, and I agree. I need long uninterrupted stretches to really focus. I really appreciated how the author points out that some tech co.s are insinuating that there is an individual solution to a systemic problem. We should just resist and if we can't. they suggest, it's a moral failing. This is just like so many other issues: mental and physical health, environmental issues etc. We're told to just focus on our own behavior. it's a start, but it's not enough. A collective solution is required.
I have made some adjustments to my own behavior. I took all the apps off my phone that lead to distraction. I keep my phone silenced most of the time and let people know that they will probably never get me to answer the phone spontaneously. I am considering getting a flip phone to have if people need to reach me in an emergency, so I can only go online when it's a choice, not a distraction. I have two adult children and a teen about to go to college, so I don't want to be out of reach for them.
I am thinking about the best ways to fill the void, as they say. I have my art supplies set up so they're easy to access and spend a lot of time gardening now. I signed up for the #1000wordsofsummer so that's getting me to write more consistently. Also taking my camera, not iphone with me in nature and that's been fun. I correspond with my 82-year-old uncle who is brilliant, lives on a remote part of Indonesia, and has never had social media. He has a global perspective on issues bc he's been everywhere and knows so much about world history, music, art, it's like having my own personal professor! Thanks for choosing this book! great pic. I think I will read it with friends too : )
Love this reflection! You sound like you’re in a very similar life phase to me. I am looking at ways to disconnect from my phone even more and have thought about a separate ‘dumb’ phone and camera too!
Growing veggies has been a great project for me and very rewarding.
Your uncle sounds amazing!
I enjoyed reading your reflections, thank so much for sharing - given so much focus is on the individual solving their own problems with social media use (as you point out) it is powerful to connect with others who see the issue is systemic and who wish to actually make changes in their lives to minimise the impact. It sounds like you’re creating a very fulfilling life for yourself with your art and garden and writing, which is inspiring to hear about - and your uncle sounds absolutely awesome!! I bet he has some cool stories. Hope you enjoy reading this with your friends too!
I read this book about 18 months ago and the points that have persisted with me are
* various factors in society (not just tech) have negatively impacted how our brains work and reduced our ability to focus
* social media was designed to be addictive, manipulative and provide a dopamine hit
* our brains do not function at their best when we expect them to multi-task
* we benefit greatly from flow states
I really enjoyed this book and gained a lot of insights. I agree, it isn't perhaps the most scientifically researched but I felt there was enough there that was evidence based to trust the theories presented. I also feel that the more relaxed writing style makes it a good book for teenagers to read.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Charlie and the opportunity to re-visit this about this book !
Love these succinct take-aways Carolyn. When I read the last one it occurred to me - I wonder if flow states are the same or similar to hyperfocus states? I will look into that!
Great point about the writing style being more accessible to teenagers. I like the way he intersperses his own anecdotal experiences with the research - it helps to keep me engaged!
I would say flow and hyper focus are very similar but it would be interesting to know whether the brain is reacting in a similar way during the process.
I've been listening on audio and am at about the same point as you (though I need to return it to the library and will be finishing it within the next few days).
I think the biggest thing that's stood out to me - and that I want to continue to carry forward - is the part about needing to fill the time you might have spent with distracting technology with something that can induce flow instead. I've very much been seeing this play out in my life lately, as I've spent much more time reading, writing, drawing, gardening, etc and haven't missed the time I would've been on my phone at all.
I think for a long time I was waiting to feel like I could focus on those things and filling the time with more technology because - what else was there to do? But now I allocate specific time for the things that bring me joy and I've found that the more I do it, the easier it is to focus.
Oof, I wish he hadn't written so much about weight though - especially using the term "obesity epidemic." The fat phobia is a bit much for me.
Coming back once more to say that the chapter on ADHD made me a bit uncomfortable. I'd really love to hear your thoughts about it.
Your insights shimmer with a refreshing clarity, reminiscent of a morning mist lifting to reveal a hidden landscape. Hari’s reflections on attention tug at the mind, challenging us to rethink our symbiosis with technology. Yet, in the pursuit of focus, let us not forsake the serendipity of a wandering thought or the beauty found in a fleeting distraction. Balance, perhaps, is where we find our true center.
I don’t disagree with the general idea, but the author himself has been discredited in the past due to plagiarism and using fake testimony. As an alternative view the neuroscientist Dean Burnett has written reviews and thoughts in the past. He used to write a column for the guardian but is now an author of several neuroscience books.
Thanks for sharing Dean’s work Jennifer - I’ve not come across him but I googled him and saw he writes a bit on Substack too! Will check out his work on this topic specifically.
Hi Charlie, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I am wondering more about the layout of your book notes. I really like it. I hope you don't mind me asking the following.
What size of notebook do you use and do you use one notebook per book?
Also is there any particular notebook you use?
Hey! I use this one: https://www.leuchtturm1917.co.uk/notebook-classic.html i fill it with multiple books, so it’s a chronologically ordered notebook rather than by theme/book topic.
Absolutely
Because of your newsletter, I ordered myself a copy of Stolen Focus and am completely blown away! Thank you for sharing Johann Hari's work.