## Introduction and Recap - The author, Callum (@_wanderloots), introduces the concept of "plot" in the context of personal development and character growth, building on the idea of finding one's "Voice" in the digital age. - Last week's topic of finding one's Voice and the challenges of social media is recapped, highlighting the importance of developing a personal character and using "Flow" to gauge engaging experiences. - The concept of "[[Flow (psychology) | Digital Distraction – The Anti-Flow]]" is introduced, where the abundance of information on the internet leads to information overload and a state of constant overwhelm. - The author explains how digital spaces, such as social media and email, can distract individuals from their intended tasks, leading to "rabbit holes" and "doomscrolling" that consume large amounts of time. ## The Attention Economy and Surveillance Capitalism - The "Attention Economy" is discussed, where transactions are paid with attention rather than money, and companies operate on a [[Business model | business model]] that waives users' privacy rights in exchange for free services. - The author notes that algorithms track user actions, generating data that is sold to third parties for targeted advertising, with "watch time" being a key metric. - The concept of "[[Surveillance capitalism | Surveillance Capitalism]]" is touched upon, where companies profit from collecting and selling user data, highlighting the importance of being aware of these dynamics to avoid being controlled by them. - The business models of major companies like [[Facebook | Meta]], [[Google]], [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]], [[Netflix]], and social media platforms operate on surveillance capitalism, where they collect and analyze personal data to sell to advertisers for profit. - This model is made possible by the lack of regulation to protect users, as described in Prof Zuboff's writings, and is based on capturing and monetizing people's attention and data. - Advertisers pay for viewers' attention, which is maximized by engagement in content, such as videos on [[YouTube]] or feeds on [[Facebook]]. - While targeted advertisements may seem beneficial, the underlying [[Business model | business model]] is designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, generating more watch time and ad revenue. ## The Mechanics of Addiction - Social media apps use variable reward systems, also known as intermittent reward systems, to keep users engaged, which is the same system used to get people addicted to slot machines. - These systems provide a dopamine rush due to uncertainty, making users feel pleasure, but ultimately leading to addiction and a waste of time and attention. - The author compares scrolling on social media to pulling the lever on a slot machine, where users experience a fleeting intermittent reward, but ultimately end up with nothing to show for their efforts. - The book "Stolen Focus" is recommended to learn more about how these [[Business model | business models]] operate and how to be more aware of their influence. - The systems are designed for infinite micro-transactions, where users pay attention for seconds, leading to minutes or hours of watch time, which adds up over time. - The author encourages users to be aware of these business models and to use them intentionally, rather than being used by them. ## Anti-Flow and its Consequences - The concept of "Anti-Flow" refers to the state of being where individuals waste time and energy on infinite scrolling on social media, losing their sense of self and becoming non-player characters ([[Non-player character | NPCs]]) in their own lives. - The creator of the infinite scroll estimates that approximately 200,000 human lifetimes are spent each day on screens that would otherwise not have been spent on screens, resulting in a massive waste of time and attention. - This phenomenon is a result of [[Surveillance capitalism | the attention economy and surveillance capitalism]], where individuals' attention is monetized and exploited, leading to dire consequences on behavior, including the loss of ability to pay attention to other tasks and the burning of attention currency. - The attention economy is not a new concept, but it has become more personalized and customized with the advent of television and the internet, making ignorance a costly affair that affects one's ability to pay attention, engage with life, and participate in a free and democratic society. - The overuse of infinite scroll systems is also associated with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome, which can be mitigated by educating oneself on how the world operates and taking control of one's attention and time. ## Breaking Free from Anti-Flow - To break free from the Anti-Flow state, individuals must become aware of their selves and take intentional action to invest their attention and energy in tasks that benefit their character development and the hero's journey. - The choice to be a hero or an [[Non-player character | NPC]] is a personal one, and understanding the plot of the world and one's place in it is crucial to making informed decisions and taking control of one's life. - The concept of being an NPC (non-player character) refers to individuals who go through life without self-awareness, living as pawns in someone else's game, often controlled by corporations and algorithms that prioritize growth over human well-being. - Understanding the rules of the game and recognizing one's place in it can help individuals gain control over their lives and make intentional decisions, rather than simply following the motions. ## Humans vs. Machines - Corporations have historically treated workers as machines, promoting conformity and stagnation, and with the rise of artificial intelligence and [[Surveillance capitalism | surveillance capitalism]], humans are increasingly caught between inhuman entities, including algorithms and AI systems. - The author argues that humans should leverage technology to enhance their humanity, rather than allowing systems and machines to control their lives, and that automation and efficiency can lead to a more sustainable and equitable world. - The author encourages readers to act with intention and wake up to the patterns and plots that shape their lives, rather than sleepwalking into the future, and to consider the role of technology in building a better world. ## Conclusion and Next Steps - The author teases the next installment of the series, which will cover the concept of setting and tie together the three pillars of story, and invites readers to upgrade to a paid subscription for access to exclusive content, including discussions on developing one's voice, using AI, and building automated income systems. ## Sources - [website](https://wanderloots.com/recalibrating-15/)