Our screens have become a breeding ground for exploitation. In an era where smartphones have become an indispensable part of daily life, with 70% of the global population owning one, people are spending nearly half their waking hours staring at screens. The rise of social media has created a world where people can't seem to disconnect from the endless stream of information being pumped into their feeds.
The term "human fracking" was coined by the author, a reference to the petroleum industry's practice of pumping high-pressure detergents into the ground to extract oil and gas. In this context, human fracking refers to the way in which technology companies are using high-pressure, high-volume streams of addictive content to extract our attention. This has led to a world where people are more engaged with their screens than ever before.
The consequences of this trend are dire. Our attention is being commodified, and we're losing touch with what makes life meaningful. The author argues that the problem isn't phones or social media; it's human fracking itself – the exploitation of our consciousness for profit. We're treating ourselves as a product to be bought and sold.
So, how do we resist this trend? According to the author, we need to come together in solidarity and fight back against those who are exploiting us. This requires a movement that values human attention above all else. The author argues that our true freedom lies not in our ability to click and swipe but in our capacity for love, curiosity, daydreaming, and self-care.
There's good news, however. New technologies can also give rise to new forms of resistance. By recognizing the value of our attention, we can create a politics that is more attuned to human flourishing. The author cites the example of the environmental movement, which was once seen as radical but has since become mainstream.
The stakes are high, and it's time for us to take action. As the author puts it, "You can only abuse people so much, and then they turn. Already politicians on both sides are identifying this issue as one that moves the electorate." We need to rise up and demand a new politics of attention – one that values our humanity above all else.
The fight for our attention is not just about technology; it's about creating a world where we can live in harmony with ourselves and each other. As the author notes, "We believe a new kind of freedom movement beckons." We need to join forces and demand that our attention be treated as a precious resource – one that we deserve to control ourselves.
The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: we must take up the banner of a new kind of freedom movement. By recognizing the value of our attention and fighting back against those who seek to exploit us, we can create a world where human flourishing is the guiding principle.
The term "human fracking" was coined by the author, a reference to the petroleum industry's practice of pumping high-pressure detergents into the ground to extract oil and gas. In this context, human fracking refers to the way in which technology companies are using high-pressure, high-volume streams of addictive content to extract our attention. This has led to a world where people are more engaged with their screens than ever before.
The consequences of this trend are dire. Our attention is being commodified, and we're losing touch with what makes life meaningful. The author argues that the problem isn't phones or social media; it's human fracking itself – the exploitation of our consciousness for profit. We're treating ourselves as a product to be bought and sold.
So, how do we resist this trend? According to the author, we need to come together in solidarity and fight back against those who are exploiting us. This requires a movement that values human attention above all else. The author argues that our true freedom lies not in our ability to click and swipe but in our capacity for love, curiosity, daydreaming, and self-care.
There's good news, however. New technologies can also give rise to new forms of resistance. By recognizing the value of our attention, we can create a politics that is more attuned to human flourishing. The author cites the example of the environmental movement, which was once seen as radical but has since become mainstream.
The stakes are high, and it's time for us to take action. As the author puts it, "You can only abuse people so much, and then they turn. Already politicians on both sides are identifying this issue as one that moves the electorate." We need to rise up and demand a new politics of attention – one that values our humanity above all else.
The fight for our attention is not just about technology; it's about creating a world where we can live in harmony with ourselves and each other. As the author notes, "We believe a new kind of freedom movement beckons." We need to join forces and demand that our attention be treated as a precious resource – one that we deserve to control ourselves.
The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: we must take up the banner of a new kind of freedom movement. By recognizing the value of our attention and fighting back against those who seek to exploit us, we can create a world where human flourishing is the guiding principle.