Field Note 3: participATTENTION, a new movement

"I want to live a deeply fulfilling, rich life. But the algorithm knows exactly what kind of dog videos will stop that from happening." — Internet meme

Back in the 1980s, ParticipACTION was a Canadian public awareness campaign encouraging us to get moving and live more actively.

If I had my way, I'd launch a new movement called ParticipATTENTION. Its mission? Exercising our attention, curiosity, focus, and reflection in an age of endless scrolling.

Our campaign would promote alternative activities such as:

• Reading an entire article. Yes, the whole thing.

• Finishing a thought before checking your phone.

• Having a conversation that lasts longer than three minutes.

• Looking out the subway window instead of down at your phone.

• Engaging in respectful dialogue with someone who disagrees with you.

We'd encourage people to build their attention spans just as they build their physical fitness. Soon, these terms would become part of our everyday vocabulary:

• Deep reading: the cardio workout for your brain.

• Sustained concentration: strength training for the mind.

• Open-mindedness: flexibility training.

• Reading a book without checking your phone: an endurance event.

• A soulful conversation with a friend: no personal trainer required.

Naturally, we'd need to be careful not to offend anyone. So every piece of promotional material would carry a warning label:

WARNING: Participating may cause unexpected side effects, including original thoughts, deepening connections, self-awareness, and the rediscovery of long-forgotten hobbies.

Are you game?

Till next time. Travel light.

Field Notes are brief entries between each Travel Light blog. Read the blog here.