The Attention Economy: How Social Media Shapes Our Minds and Relationships

What is social media actually doing to us? In this Voge Academy Talk, Matt Frawley and Nic Voge explore the attention economy through the lens of philosophy, psychology, and spirituality. Using Kathryn Lawson’s reflections on Simone Weil, they ask a deeper question than whether social media is merely distracting: how does it shape our humanity, our autonomy, and our capacity to truly attend to other people? The conversation looks at how algorithms and platforms compete for our attention, why fragmented attention can diminish empathy, and what it means to live in a world where focus has become commodified. Matt also introduces Simone Weil’s powerful understanding of attention, humility, and love of neighbor, including her question: “What are you going through?” This is not just a critique of social media. It is also a conversation about agency, self-awareness, values, and whether we are living in a way that reflects what we actually care about. Topics include: – the attention economy and algorithmic manipulation – Simone Weil on attention, humility, and compassion – social media, distraction, and dehumanization – autonomy, agency, and self-awareness – why attention matters for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment If you’ve ever felt fragmented, distracted, or pulled away from the life you want to live, this conversation is for you. #attentioneconomy #socialmedia #simoneweil #attention #autonomy