This person revealed the answer: the essence of attention problems is a problem of human existence.
Three types of attention goals:
1. Self-identity
External identification: Being seen by others (e.g., likes, comments, views), satisfying the need for recognition.
Internal identification: Seeing oneself (e.g., the flow and fulfillment brought about by focused activities such as reading, creating, or practicing an instrument).
The object of attention defines the self: Psychologist William James proposed, "I am what I pay attention to." What a person focuses on determines what they become.
2. Security and a sense of control
Attention seeks certainty. Uncertainty causes anxiety, while information reduces uncertainty.
The underlying motivation for scrolling through news and social media is to find information that allows one to understand the state of the world, in order to restore security and control.
Therefore, the key is not to reject information, but to guide attention towards high-quality information.
3. A sense of meaning and value
The ultimate aim of attention is meaning.
When attention is invested in things one loves, learning, or creating, one is pursuing the value of existence.
The brain evaluates whether attention is directed towards valuable objects: if it brings growth and contribution, it generates satisfaction; if it's directed towards empty and repetitive information, it generates emptiness and exhaustion.
Therefore, the allocation of attention is a psychological value investment.
The essence of the attention problem: the problem of human existence.
The three goals (identity, safety, and meaning) all point to the same core—"I exist."
Because we exist, we crave to be seen and recognized.
Because we exist, we seek safety and certainty.
Because we exist, we question meaning and value.
Attention is essentially the soul form of time. Where you invest your attention, there your life resides.
Where is your attention?
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The title "Making a Living a Career" reminds me of the book title "Making a Living Through Trading."