The Attention Economy

Over the years the internet has become a major element in the world. It has been integrated into every aspect of today’s society: becoming part of our social life, education system and everyday routines, such as online shopping or booking tickets. It is responsible for the vast networking and connecting of the world. The world has become a smaller place, where it is possible to be in one country while talking and seeing another person in a different continent. The advances and conveniences the internet has created is on one level an incredible advantage to society, however on another level there are many subtle pitfalls that have been created with the advancing of technology and easy access of the internet. In the following essay the merits and pitfalls of being able to access large amounts of information from the internet will be discussed as well as trying to avoid the downside of operating in an “attention economy”.

The internet has many advantages. Firstly on a social level, websites such as facebook, Twitter and MySpace, have allowed for people all over the world to be connected. It is a cheap, fast and easy way of communicating. More and more public places such as restaurants and airports have what are known as “hotspots” where one can access the internet off digital devices such as computers, iPods and PsP’s. Arguments can be settled in a matter of minutes by “googling” the particular subject matter. Internet allows you to check the weather report, read magazines, newspapers and articles. This makes one more aware of what is happening around the world and people become more informed about general topics as it is more convenient to check the internet and get an overview of everything rather than buying each individual magazine or newspaper. Another advantage of the internet is being able to shop online: where you can compare the prices of items and simply “add them to your basket”, pay by credit card and have it delivered to your doorstep in a couple of