Monica's Reviews > Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again

I liked stolen focus. The topic is something that I think everyone in this day and age experiences; the inability to focus. And as one would expect, it seems to get harder as we get older. This modern technological age has information coming at us all the time and sometimes it seems like the younger folks seem to handle this better because they've experienced it from birth. Hari points out that this is false. They may deal with the information overload differently, but the brain can only take so much input, no matter the age.

"we are, collectively, experiencing “a more rapid exhaustion of attention resources."

The science is fascinating and as one might expect, a little subjective. This book suggests everything one would expect: too much social media, physical and mental exhaustion, too much choice, stress, constant interruptions, isolation, attention deficit and rapid switching between tasks etc. And some things I didn't expect: diet, pollution, reading nonfiction.

While I'm not a big fan of Hari's writing style, I have to admit the book was interesting and enlightening. It's a bit of a mash of scientific thought and Hari's anecdotal experiences. It felt a little disingenuous as if comingling the two (scientific fact and Hari's personal connection to the concepts), gives both legitimacy. For example, he states obvious things that are subjective; factually supported or otherwise. Or here's an example of a comingling

"The more novels you read, the better you were at reading other people’s emotions."

Sounds right though I do know people who read fiction exclusively that are not good at reading emotions. I do think that the concept of the quote is well accepted as true.

"reading nonfiction books, by contrast, had no effect on your empathy."

Sounds specious. I have no idea what nonfiction he's reading but I just finished Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI and I was frickin livid and empathetic. I suppose an argument could be made that reading fiction got me there; however… chicken or egg which was first?

All in all, a good read with some really fascinating facts and interesting theories. Nothing earthshattering here, but Hari offers some strategies to moderate the constant demands for our intention and how find ways to have the time to breathe, wonder, contemplate and just be. Because the world such as it is, is stealing our quality of life. We can all do better both individually and collectively through governance and self-awareness. Hari claims this isn't a self-help book (IMO it is). I suppose that's his way of gaining control of his imagination in the world such as it is. Anyways, for me a nice introduction into a space that contemplates the impact of information age on our mental health. Just beware of ideas posing as facts, because Hari packs this book with both (interesting facts and interesting ideas posing as facts).

3.75 Stars

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