Seeking Attention

A book depicting the intimate complicity between attention and identity. . . “You are what you pay attention to.”

Seeking Attention presents thirty insightful “portraits” of contemporary life—from “The Hypochondriac” to “The Self-Driving Car”—charting a roadmap through today’s media and technology landscape. Through these vivid sketches, Pettman examines how our awareness is shaped and contained by both the lifestyles we choose and those imposed on us, inviting readers to better understand their own behaviors and patterns of attention.

Drawing on philosophy, psychology, and art criticism, Pettman navigates the highs and lows of the “attention economy” and the “industrial distraction complex,” delving into how our consciousness is commodified and exploring ways to adapt and reclaim control over where—and how—we focus. With fresh insights into the vital role attention plays in both personal growth and collective well-being, Seeking Attention is an essential read for anyone interested in cultural studies, psychology, or the art of mindfulness.