Episode 1: Pay Attention!
When did the internet stop feeling fun and start feeling like a slot machine in your pocket? We break down what attention really is, how the attention economy, algorithms, and surveillance capitalism profit off of your infinite scroll, and why it’s so hard to put your phone down.
Episode 2: Fragmentation
Why does scrolling feel like a trap, and why do our phones seem to know exactly what will pull us in? We break down how social media design and algorithms shape what we notice, how we see ourselves, and why so many of us feel more lonely, distracted, and hooked on our phones than ever before.
Episode 3: Concentrate!
Why does it feel almost impossible to focus anymore? We dig into how constant notifications and endless screen time chip away at your attention span, deep reading skills, and ability to be present in your own life—and what that means for students, work, and everyday moments that actually matter.
Episode 4: Splintered
Why does it feel like we’re all living in different realities online? We unpack how filter bubbles, echo chambers, and algorithms splinter our attention, polarize our communities, and turn real people into “characters” on a screen, all while eroding empathy and the everyday “village” that holds us together.
Episode 5: Get Me Out of Here!
Feeling burned out by constant notifications and endless screen time, but not sure how to change it? We explore how to reset your relationship with your phone and social media using ideas like spotlight vs. starlight attention, tech relationship check-ins, flow state, boredom, and redesigning your digital habits so your screen time finally lines up with your real-life goals.
About the Show
Scroll, swipe, repeat. Ever wonder what all that screen time is really doing to your focus, relationships, and sense of self? “Are You Paying Attention?” is a thoughtful mini-series that breaks down the attention economy, social media algorithms, notifications, multitasking, doomscrolling, and digital distraction while offering practical ways to reclaim your attention, reduce screen time, and build healthier digital habits in a world designed to keep you scrolling.
