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ART IS CHANGE: Strategies & Skills for Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers

117: How the Arts Can Thwart the Attention Bandits

05 Mar 2025

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Change the Story GoFundME CampaignAlong with many of our guests, we believe we have come to a place in the American story that calls for both pushing back AND pushing forward. To do our part in this, we want to grow our audience, do more in-depth serial episodes, use our expanding archive to help artists learn about art and social change work. Up to now, Change the Story has been a sweat equity work of passion. That said, making these changes will require some added assistance. So, if you believe that meeting the challenges that face us calls for a new set of stories powerful enough to change how we treat each other and the planet—then please, join our community of supporters by helping us Tell the Stories that are Changing the World.Arts & the Attention Bandits: Summary/IntroThe central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the increasingly commodified nature of human attention, which has become a most valuable resource in contemporary society. I elucidate the profound implications of this phenomenon, particularly its impact on individual autonomy and decision-making. As we delve into the intricate dynamics of attention, we highlight the challenges faced by artists and other creative individuals in navigating an environment saturated with distractions and manipulations designed to capture their focus. Through a narrative that intertwines personal anecdotes with critical analysis, we explore the consequences of this attention economy, drawing parallels to historical shifts in labor dynamics. Ultimately, we advocate for a conscious engagement with our imaginative faculties as a means of reclaiming agency in a world that seeks to exploit our attention.The Story:In a profound examination of our times, the episode articulates the thesis that attention has transitioned from being merely a focus of interest to a precious resource subject to exploitation. Through a captivating storytelling approach, the episode unveils the complex relationship between attention and creativity in the modern era. It introduces Fletcher's story as a relatable lens through which to examine the incessant barrage of marketing tactics that aim to commandeer consumer attention. As Fletcher becomes ensnared in the frenzy of sales and promotions, he exemplifies the struggle many face in maintaining focus amid distractions. In our discussion we draw on the insights of Chris Hayes book, The Sirens Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource, highlighting that the relentless quest for attention has parallels with the historical commodification of labor. The narrative compels listeners to reflect on the subtle yet profound ways in which their attention is captured and redirected, ultimately calling for a greater awareness of how such dynamics affect the creative processes and imaginative capacities of individuals, particularly artists. The discourse broadens underscoring the necessity for individuals to nurture their imaginative capacities. By drawing attention to the importance of artistic expression as an antidote to the commodification of attention, the episode advocates for a renewed appreciation of creativity as a fundamental human trait that must be safeguarded. It posits that fostering imagination is not merely a personal endeavor but a collective necessity in reclaiming autonomy and shaping a more thoughtful engagement with the world.The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to reclaim their attention and cultivate their imaginative faculties as a form of resistance against the commercial

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