Technology and our stolen focus with Johann Hari

How do we get you to keep scrolling?


This is the aim of the applications on your phone. The more they
can steal your focus and attention the more profitable they are.


So how can you take advantage of the benefits of
technology whilst not letting it take advantage of you?


This week we speak to Johann Hari, the author of the New York
Times bestseller: Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay
Attention. 


Johann is an author, executive producer and Tedtalk speaker. His
books have been translated into 40 languages, and been praised by
a broad range of people, from Oprah to Noam Chomsky, from Elton
John to Naomi Klein.


Johann’s first book, ‘Chasing the Scream: the First and
Last Days of the War on Drugs’, was adapted into the
Oscar-nominated film ‘The United States Vs Billie
Holiday’. His second book, ‘Lost Connections:
Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected
Solutions’ was described by the British Journal of
General Practice as “one of the most important texts of recent
years”, and shortlisted for an award by the British Medical
Association.


Johann’s TED talks have been viewed more than 93 million times.
He has written over the past decade for some of the world’s
leading newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times,
the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, the Spectator, Le Monde
Diplomatique, the Sydney Morning Herald, and Politico. He has
appeared on NPR’s All Thing Considered, HBO’s Realtime With Bill
Maher, The Joe Rogan Podcast, the BBC’s Question Time, and many
other popular shows.


Johann was twice named ‘National Newspaper Journalist of the
Year’ by Amnesty International. He has also been named ‘Cultural
Commentator of the Year’ and ‘Environmental Commentator of the
Year’ at the Comment Awards.


A fascinating person who lives half the year in London, and
spends the other half of the year traveling to research his
books. We caught up with Johann one sunny afternoon and delved
deep into what it means to loose focus, the effects it has on the
brain, how our children are being affected by technology, and how
we can regain focus and become more present.


A great episode!


Enjoy!


Lots of love,


Dave & Steve


Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt





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