£7.99 – £10.99
Simone Weil famously stated: “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” But what, in fact, counts as attention?
Seeking Attention offers thirty compelling “portraits” of modern life- from “The Hypochondriac” to “The Self-Driving Car”- guiding readers through the complex world of modern media and technology.
Blending philosophy, psychology, and cultural criticism, Pettman explores the “attention economy” and “industrial distraction complex,” showing how our awareness is shaped both by personal choices and external influences. With fresh insights into attention’s role in personal and collective well-being, Seeking Attention is essential reading for anyone seeking ways to reclaim control.
Dominic Pettman is University Professor of Media and New Humanities at The New School in New York City. He is the author of numerous books on technology, humans, and other animals; including Creaturely Love (Minnesota), Sonic Intimacy (Stanford), Peak Libido (Polity), Telling the Bees (Fordham), and Sad Planets (with Eugene Thacker).
“A delightful, original and unusual book that explores the many facets of attention and what it means to us today. Pettman makes complex ideas accessible and shows their relevance to our lives in this thought-provoking and highly enjoyable read.”