Johann Hari - Stolen Focus- Why You Can't Pay A... May 2026

The brain "cleans" itself during sleep; without it, focus fails.

Forcing tech companies to move to a subscription or public-utility model.

Legislation that prevents employers from emailing staff after work hours. Johann Hari - Stolen Focus- Why You Can't Pay A...

Consciously choosing to do one thing at a time.

Using apps like "Freedom" to lock yourself out of the internet. The brain "cleans" itself during sleep; without it,

Focus on long-term goals (e.g., writing a book or starting a business).

A "flow state" is when you are so absorbed in a task that time disappears. Modern life, with its constant pings and notifications, makes entering flow almost impossible. 4. Physical Factors Consciously choosing to do one thing at a time

We think we are multitasking, but we are actually "task-switching." Each time we switch, the brain reconfigures, lowering IQ and increasing mistakes. 2. The Surveillance Capitalism Model