Johann always blows me away with his stories and knowledge 🤯…. Could I ask you to do me a favour and hit the like and subscribe button, helps this podcast massively - thank you all x
This could not be more topical to me! I I was shocked to see my screen time over the last week and my god it exemplifies why I’ve went from successful to on benefits. I love Johann and his book on depression but I can’t wait to get into this book. This is life changing! Steven - this podcast is just amazing. Thank you!
This was so important for me to listen to. I never realised this was a pattern in my life. I own a business where I create dip powders for women to use on their nails. I always avoid creating colours when I am tired because I don’t feel I produce my best work. But when I decide I am making colours that is all I do on that day because I value my flow state. I never realised I do this until I listened to this podcast today. Thank you so much 🙏🏽 P.s one thing that helps me is putting on a podcast that is a few hours long so that I feel I am not missing out on my phone. But because I am listening to something I don’t look at my phone and it helps me work in a continued flow👌🏾
My phone is always on silent, no vibrate no alerts. 3 people know if they were to call me my phone will ring. All other numbers are silent. I deleted Facebook 10 years ago and that was a game changer for my family and business. No TikTok, no Snapchat and no IG. I actually walk my dog and notice the new leaves on a tree growing in Spring. We now spend more time outside riding bikes and roller blading. Our cell phones go in the room and stay there till morning, we never look at them. What’s changed? I’m happy, we’re happy. 😁
I deleted fb 10 years ago and it changed my life too… never looked back.. no instagram no twitter.. they are the boasting ..self absorbing ‘look at me ‘look at me platforms.. RU-vid is NOT like this.. also I ditched a smartphone 6 yrs ago ( have an old school Nokia) and my life is soooo much more wholesome … it’s the way forward to contentment .. it’s the way to protect your mental health .. oh if you’re wondering anybody ..I’m watching this on a iPad that I keep at home and nowt else!
1hr and 40 minutes of two exceptional people talking about a wonderfully important (albeit potential unpopular) topic. Almost every day, both Johann Hari & Steven Bartlett add enormous value into my life. In a world where many mainstream journalists are emphatically adding to the fear and loathing of life across societies, Johann will always remind me that authentic, meaningful journalism does still exist, it’s just unfortunately less commonplace. Thank you Steven and Johann, this podcast is probably more important than 99% of people might realise.
I'm 80. A widow. Live alone in a big city, no friends or family here. I'm not depressed, but I AM unfocussed. Can't read books and have to listen to audiobooks (they're brilliant !). Can't learn anything because I can't focus. Fortunately, I'm bright and there's already quite a lot of my head. Johann is becoming a kind of hero, in spite of the irony of finding him through the Internet ... I've read about his earlier period, so am not falsely hero-worshipping - just amazed by his ability to say things that are entirely meaningful. I'm hoping that my next stage is going to be developing the ability to use them.
This interview was so on time! Johann pointed out so many important and relevant points which I thought were just my own problems when in fact they're proven problems. Like the cost of switching between tasks. Such a relief to know it's not my own shortcoming in simply our brains not being wired for it!
Love the way he so easily explains and conveys his message. I love it when people drop studies and quotes so easily into conversation shows how in depth they know what they are speaking about. Curating a positive social media feed is amazing, very conscious about shaping the way my son consumes media as a baby.
He is my favorite guest you have had to date. I just landed on his ted talk, really brilliant, very authentic and an incredible story teller, captivating!
I stopped watching @ 27:13 to walk to my local library to find a hard copy of this geniuses book and on my way I looked around me, at the world I lived in, looked at the use of technology replacing human interaction, and my heart sank. I felt lost and alone around a thousand people who wouldn’t look up unless to move around me. I don’t think any young persons perception of the future is clear, but as a 23 year old college student just starting out in the big “real” world in this day and age, I stood outside the library wondering, feeling my phone going off in my pocket, just wondering where I’ll be years from that moment. Where will our continuously advancing world take me? What would my children’s lives be like if this focus problem is only starting to be realized? Will there even be physical libraries or would the one I’m standing outside of right now be turned into an exhibit that only existed in virtual reality tours that showed what was, hasn’t been, and never will be again, so my great grand kids could look at the building standing still with next Gen XR Glasses in amazement for only seconds just as I would and did at my grandfathers first typewriter? Scary.
This video is just great. It's been like attending a class at university and leaving feeling that you actually learned something important about a subject we should all be studying or --at least-- be aware of.
Whenever my attention starts going more and more to my phone/social media I get to a point where I think "right, enough is enough, I need to stop this, I need to be stronger, I need to effectively beat the system" and it is always something I seem to put back on myself with "I'm too weak, or my attention span is too short" this is the first thing I've heard that has taken it away and put it back on these screens/devices and apps that are designed knowingly to invade our attention. I really really needed to hear this
Between '82 and '97 , I was a 2nd grade teacher dealing with ADHD and Ritalin in my students. Born in 1955, I'm certain I had it before it was given a name. I'm certain thousands of abused children had it. I was brutally disciplined and learned to manage my behavior to avoid abuse. I still struggle with symptoms today. I have no doubt it's aggravated by emotional and environmental pollution
I hear you, I think it's a real thing but every letter in 'ADHD' seems an inaccurate description. I've noticed it's those neglected and/or put down and/or forced to fit into boxes that don't fit their nature who get labelled ADHD; even sporty types and creatives who are bored by a classroom setting, and they get shamed for it.
@@dancole2994 Actually, the vast majority of children are bored in class, so perhaps, like Ivan Illich suggested, schools are the problem. That isn't to say that teachers aren't doing their job. It is the system that fails: classes should be smaller, there shouldnt be so much pressure at home (parents over here push children to study-they even have classes in the evening to learn what they werent able to learn in normal school hours), teachers are pushed to accomodate to burocracy, stupid laws, etc, they are not properly trained to deal with 25+ students per class (some of them with behavioural problems or disabilities or autistic...and the vast majority with a huge problem with lack of focus...) and they end up feeling stressed out, anxious...you name it. No one can be a good teacher in that environment. They also have to deal with pressures from authorities, parents...violent children... So no one, even those who looked fine and did well at school, is free of what you point out.
Your podcast is the only show I can focus and pay attention on for more than an hour without distraction. Am still thinking about what strategies you used.
My son is 33 and introduced me to you! Wow, you truely cover everything that all human beings could use to heal and grow. Thankyou Johann. Humanity needs your methods in true life education to grow and continue to exist. 🙏 Namaste
Steven, your podcast are so brilliant. They really do inspire me. One day I will be so inspired and motivated, to a point where I achieve something so great beyond comprehension. Thank you 🙏🏻
🙌 wonderful suprise to see Mr Hari again, thank you so much to all , & all the best for 2022 everyone 🤗 Mr Hari, you are so clear & concise I find you incredibly hypnotic and become immersed in the topics & conversation. Thank you so much, wishing for you all the best in all you do 🤗
I loved how Johann explains it, it is so obvious and yet people "allow" themselves to be puppets on a string to be easily distracted. And it is scary that this has become the new "normal" way of living. It should be more than just close to 400 000 views, why are people not interested in seeing reality? Too scared that they are part of it. I have this book and will for sure dig deep into is asap. Thanks Steven for having Johann Hari on the show!!
I agree completely that focus is one of the most powerful tools that if someone manage to acquire, they become unstoppable. Because when you are present at the moment nearly 💯 percent, you can grab any concepts really faster, learn faster, do better and effect more profoundly. In my opinion internet is incredible and is really useful, but we have to learn how to spend our time in it and don't allow unimportant and irrelevant contents in internet spoil our life and take our time from our control. ❤️🤓
I've just relistened to this powerful podcast. It's so uplifting and raises such important issues which need attention in our current times. I know I'll be back here again soon to relisten.
Johan is a great person! I believe every single word he said! So much passion, hearth and soul in his speeches. Steve, thank you for such unbelievable guests!
Great podcast, really insightful content. Smart watches are the new scourge on our attention in my opinion - constant inescapable interruptions until you take it off and turn it off, yet users often forget to reply to messages or act on notifications. I choose to stick to an old fashioned analogue watch for this reason.
Haven’t heard/seen Johann before on your show, he is a guy you could listen too all day/ night long, really addictive. Fantastic guest really relatable. Defo going to buy his book 😊
Hey Steven, c'mon man. I keep searching for people I find in other places and constantly you're popping up at the top. It's incredible. Do you have everyone on your podcast? I just can't keep the pace. I want to listen to everything, but you're on a roll. Congrats on the work!
I totally agree an change in myself needs to take place to enable to focus on necessary tasks more in tern the more people that do the more productive a country we will be.
Wow.. yet another fantastic interview and conversation, I see these as conversations rather than interviews really, even though they're Steven's guests, I always learn from Steven just as much and this conversation in particular sparked my interest as it's an area I was struggling with from 2016 to 2020. Since then I've discovered many ways, for me, to improve my focus, which starts with nutrition and brain health. What I found truly fascinating though, is Johann's perspective on how Social Media companies engineer their products to literally steel our focus and we, as the people, have the power to change this... I see the problem being, convincing so many people, who are likely unaware that Social Media companies are doing this, to adopt this stance as they're most likely enjoying their current usage, oblivious that their focus is being affected. I hope that bringing awareness to this issue, as Johann has so expertly done through this conversation, helps put pressure on this much needed change.
The first cost is such a big deal for me, it seems so easy to fix and yet it's a huge problem to focus again. Loved all the episode, thank you so much!
So powerful, so true. The most present people are who inspire me. We must retain presence. It's my biggest worry for future generations and for my family and my children when I become a dad.
Although I live in Manchester, I have only just found out about Steven. Great inspiration for many and he has a great really voice and beautiful brain. 👍👍
I have been blessed with very kind, loving, disciplined, good natured, hard working 15 year old twin sons, but of late and probably with lockdowns not helping, they have been using social media way more than I would like! I have given them the whole speech about algorithms, data harvesting and social credit systems blah blah, blah! Anyway I asked them today to put their phone down and watch this episode with me. When they saw it was 1.38 one started bargaining to chop it down and watch it in bits, well I agreed 🤫 well we all put the phones down. They watched the lot 🤨 Then deleted tic Tok! Luckily FB is for old people and they only browse Insta, so with help of you guys, I hope I have reeled them back in just in time 🤞🏽They as with so many kids, have real potential but their focus is constantly being sabotaged. I wish more parents would take time to sit and watch this with their kids. So I am sending big love and a Thank you for this episode 🙏🏽 ……… justification that Mum ain’t always talking waz 🤣
This was absolutely amazing to listen to while I did my work, I actually managed to get more done than I do in a week at work, my phone was off and uncharged, this video was open on another tab as I worked.
This conversation was so genuine, Johann is such a humble guy and thank you steven for this podcast, attention deficit is my main issue for so long, i hope i can help myself ❣
Attention is also needed to avoid accidents. Just thinking about a story i read today about a lorry driver ploughing into cars on a motorway killing 3 people because he was on the phone looking at dating sites. If we aren't focused on what we are doing, we aren't doing our jobs. just wanna say i can't understand why you haven't got 5million or more subscribers...feels like i stumbled onto something special.
OMG, this is exactly what I needed to hear!! I have been saying for years that students have a huge lack-of-focus problem. I really didn't know what to do about it and I was sure that it was a societal thing. This has really been refreshing to hear because it is never spoken about and me voicing these things in meetings felt like I was an outcast. And much just like you guys, I feel that shortened, shallow focus being something that is also happening to me. So thanks a million to both of you for this podcast. Suscribed!!
I hope Johann Hari goes down in history for this. Sad that Steven Bartlett doesn't believe in change of the business model of attention theft, but glad that Johann was ready with an example of how things really can change. They have changed before and they will change again. Years ago nobody could believe that the next generation would drastically reduce drinking and smoking, or that smoking would be banned indoors. Plenty things have happened.
Thank you very much. It is very interesting and worth contemplation. Internet and social media are good things but we have to control our time and life.
Really interesting video, I agree with many points. Though a 35 hour week is already the norm în France. It would be interesting to know if it has had an incredible improvement in their productivity, economy and mental well being since 2000.
Everyone needs to activity listen to this episode of the podcast, it was very easy to listen to the research Johann has done about this topic and i'm very glad he did. Can't wait for his new book!
From now on I'm gonna write Love and Peace at the end of every comment. Start crowding out negative connotations from this algorithm. Like Mo said, the top of humanity gotta start showing up and acting in ways that will counteract the scum section. Not easy but not impossible. I've always believed being kind outruns evil energy, and although at times I get discouraged, the world needs people to CHOOSE to be KIND (not nice) if we truly wanna live in a good world. Loving this channel, well done. Now will it distract me or not? I should be studying and here I am watching your videos. lol, keep it up. Love and Peace.
Such a powerful interview - thank you. ❤ In my humble opinion - the title of this video is not reflected of the topic complexity discussed, with a ‘correct’ title this interview could reach out more than just 290k viewers / get attention to a bigger audience / help people to pause / think before starting their daily phone scrolling routine. ❤
Wow, just wow, this topic is fascinating to me and definitely, one of the most pertinent topics to be addressed in our current days. From everything I've learned with this 1 interview, it's made me a better mum to my 2 young children. I can only say a massive THANK YOU to both of you, and can't wait for the book!
Amazing episode, just what I've been looking for as I have been struggling with focus recently, his book stolen focus should be getting delivered to me today! 😁
My children text me from upstairs, my husband sits on his phone as we are watching TV together, this made me think consciously about what I already knew
Hello from Ceuta . Monday the best day of the week .😀 Steven another person I didn´t know about 🤔so a big thanks . Today your interview clicked on a lot of things I have been thinking about ex focus , sleep ,lack of attention and forgetting . I have apnea so I would like to face this problem head on . Steven I wish you could sometimes do interviews especially for teenagers ie my students . I am a ESL teacher I spend a lot of my time trying to get in on the same page with them. They are our tomorrow . P.S Steve I find my phone in the morning , the same way 😄 All the best .
When printed books first became available to the masses there was a big worry about people losing their minds, focus and inability to think or communicate with each other
Speaking of focus, I work in “sprints” 40 minutes of focusing on one task without interruption. A 15-30 minute break, and then back into another sprint. The quality of my work is a lot higher, and I get more done with a sprint than I do over 2-3 hours with distractions.
Ah this was great! You two are great together, I really enjoyed you challenging Johann, it created such a deep and thought provoking conversation. Awesome, as always Steven 👏 x
This is so great. I’m going to use a lot of this to make changes. So interesting that Hari believes in some of the narrative lies even though he understands that media can be harmful. He still doesn’t get how it has hyjacked his own beliefs. This is how we all are of course, so much manipulation.
I am going old school and i have stopped buying and using things with apps, memberships and things that is taking my focus.. Getting a peace of mind....
I agree with his perspective whole heartedly. I left Facebook groups last year because I realized I was communicating with people that basically weren’t real. I deleted all of my Facebook contacts (friends) so that I would have zero reason to go to the app. I keep my account in case I wanted to use it for my business. I have forced myself to purchase physical books and not to use Kindle or Audible so that I’m not using technology. I wish I had a way to hear these high-level discussions without using my phone as well. I really see how social media and technology has caused my marriage to deteriorate. My husband sends me texts and emails even thought we are in the same house with each other. If I tell him not to do this he still is programmed to do it anyway. He says he thinks he’ll forget to tell me If he has to wait. I started turning into a nag telling him over and over again that we had no connection and it was going to kill us. He can’t see it, but I know he’s dead to me. I pretty much can replace my interactions with him with any stranger online and that’s pretty sad. It’s just where we are.
This episode blew my brain out. I had an idea about certain social media algorithms but… this explanation both blew my brain and really annoyed me! These global, tax ‘efficient’ 🤫 and destructive companies need to be rained in, and fast. Or, the public votes with their “delete account” option and makes a statement about our data, and us not being the product! Thanks for this podcast. Love it
I used to experience flow state when I am little and doing visual art, it never happened again after a period of times that I drop out visual art and choose the stem, probably I chose the wrong path to go with.
I remember it’s not mentally hard, it’s just sit for too long and neck down resulted headaches, and if I fall in that state I will continuously draw 3,4 hours without stop. But it’s missing now, I got a lot of stress, and the goal of work is too fragmented for everything
The importance of reading is true if I happen to have to read important text around people I ask them to read it for me cause I’ve realise reading on a screen almost does nothing for me unless it’s a very short text
Hey, I would suggest you cut a bit of low end on your voice frequencies, there's sounding like a radio voice, and then there's just plain sounding artificial... Compare your voice to Mr Hari's voice, it's extreme! ;)
