Stolen Focus

I think Johann Hari did a great job at researching and covering the topic of how the way we currently live in the modern world does a great deal of harm to our minds. We are addicted to the constant flow of information, miserable, often unable to focus on tasks and involuntarily reaching for our smartphones for the so much craved shots of dopamine. It turns out that it's not really an individual issue anymore. In part thanks to our consumerist society, social media giants, food companies, pharmaceutical industry etc. which all have a financial incentive to have the world this way + other environmental factors outside of our control, it's impossible to come out clean out of this mess. As the author states, there isn't a simple solution to this problem. However, there are still certain strategies and techniques that you as an individual can employ to stay happy, healthy and actually focused on what's important, which are also covered here.

The book isn't exactly perfect. Still, in my opinion, more attention should be given to the issues presented in this work. I feel how on personal level it's harder for me to just stop looking at social media or youtube (all of which actually became less social are more like platforms for advertising) and do things that actually matter. I notice that others experience a similar thing themselves and this book is a great start to actually notice and understand the problem. I recommend it wholeheartedly.