The article discusses the growing concerns about democracy in light of influencing factors such as billionaire control over media, specifically focusing on Jeff Bezos’s reimagining of The Washington Post’s opinion section to cater to oligarchic perspectives. It emphasizes how this shift may stifle critiques of wealth’s impact on democracy while highlighting a parallel threat: the declining attention spans of American voters. Chris Hayes’s new book, The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource, explores the concept of “attention capitalism,” where tech giants profit from pervasive distraction, impacting voter awareness and engagement.
Hayes argues that while Donald Trump and his messaging have successfully dominated public attention through negativity, Democrats often struggle with risk aversion in their political communication. This disparity in attentional dominance has significant implications for political outcomes. The discussion shifts towards the urgent need for media reform and collective action to counteract disinformation and the oligarchic control of information.
Hayes envisions a dual approach to combatting attention capitalism: regulatory measures to limit corporate power and the creation of alternative noncommercial digital spaces. He advocates for innovation within media structures that prioritize democratic values over profit. Ultimately, the article calls for a renewed focus on how attention shapes political discourse and how citizen engagement can rise above commercial manipulation.
