📱 The Attention Illusion: What You’re Not Noticing Is Changing You

TCP009 | ⏰~7min read | 🔗 read online

Welcome to The Contemporary Polymath Newsletter, where you broaden your horizons, feed your curiosity, and spark new ideas on Thursdays by Naya Moss

📧 In This Issue

  • 🦍 Why you miss what’s right in front of you
  • 🎰 How social media mimics slot machines
  • 🐁 A mouse test that changed autism research
  • 📚 Books on focus, distraction, and brain tricks

👋🏾 Hey there, friend!

A few weeks ago, I stayed with someone who repeatedly missed things right in front of them—an object sitting in the same spot for days, overlooked with no realization. It made me reflect on my own attention. I’ve always been keen on the tiniest shifts—a flickering light or a speck of dust on the wall. I always thought everyone noticed those little things, but clearly, that’s not the case. Perhaps it’s a neuro spicy trait (aka neurodivergent trait).

This got me thinking about why we miss things, and I found myself diving deep into topics like escapism, intentional blindness, and realism. That’s when I came across the concept of unintentional blindness, which is fascinating because it explains how our attention can blind us to things that are right in front of us—if we’re not looking for them.

📑 When the Research Hits Home

And so much of this research felt connected to my own life. As someone who’s neurodivergent, my “hyper-awareness” is both a trait and a lens I navigate the world through. Exploring how we perceive and process information this way has opened up a whole new layer of understanding.

⏭️ Next Week’s Focus

By the way, next week is Issue 10, and I’ll be shifting gears a little. We’ll be diving into topics like polymathy vs. generalism, and I’ll share some insights on the tools and methods I use for research. I’ll also be taking you through how I organize my Contemporary Polymath Rolodex—a peek into how I manage curiosity and keep track of my ever-evolving interests.

🌍This Week’s Explorations

Written by Us

Psychology

🔍 In the famous “gorilla test,” most people completely miss a man in a costume walking through the scene. Why? Because focused attention comes at the cost of awareness, this is  in the Attention Economy. We revisit this psychological concept in the age of algorithmic distraction, where what you don’t see might be shaping you the most.

📱 You’re sure your phone buzzed—until you check and there’s nothing there. That “phantom” alert is your brain misfiring based on habit and hyper-attuned reward systems, this is called Phantom Vibration Syndrome. We break down why tech-trained anticipation rewires your sensory perception—and why this is more than just a glitch.

Technology

 🎰 Do you wonder why it’s so hard to stop refreshing or scrolling on social media, even when nothing new appears for quite some time? It’s not you—it’s dopamine. We dive into how app interfaces borrow from the Slot Machine Effect, exploiting variable rewards to keep your brain chasing hits of novelty on loop.

Science

🐁 What if you could measure autism-related behavior in mice? Dr.Jacqueline Crawley made that possible. Her three-chambered social test became a global standard—linking genetics to real-world behavior and paving the way for more precise treatments.

🔍 Intriguing Finds

A curated selection of news and discoveries

🦍 The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons

Think you’re a keen observer? Think again! This book reveals the mind-bending ways our attention can completely miss the obvious. Get ready for some “wait, what?!” moments that will change how you see the world (and your own focus).

📱 Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter

Ever feel like your phone has a magnetic pull you can’t resist? This book dives deep into the sneaky psychological tricks tech companies use to keep us glued to our screens. Prepare to see your favorite apps in a whole new (and maybe unsettling) light.

🧠 Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari

Remember what it felt like to truly focus? Johann Hari investigates why our attention spans are shrinking and uncovers surprising culprits (beyond just our phones!). This read might just be the wake-up call your brain needs.

👥 Readers Corner

We are looking to interview some polymaths to feature in our newsletter, if that interest you, hit the button below:

📚 Join the Polymath Corner →

💭 How Inquisitive

🔙 Answer to last week’s question

📱 What’s the name of the brain phenomenon where people feel their phone vibrate—even when it didn’t—just because they expected it?

You know that weird moment when you swear your phone just buzzed—but when you check, there’s nothing? That’s called phantom vibration syndrome. It’s surprisingly common, especially among people who check their phones often or are waiting for something. Psychologists think it’s your brain misinterpreting sensory input—like your clothing shifting or a muscle twitch—because it’s so tuned in to expecting notifications. Did you check out the article we wrote on this?

⏭️Question for next week

👩🏼‍🦰 Why do we instantly trust certain faces/people without a thought?

Loved this issue or have ideas for future topics? We’d love to hear from you! 

🇪🇪 Hoia end. Ilusat päeva, õhtut või ööd – kus iganes sa oled. Ole lahke!

🇺🇸 Take care. Have a wonderful day, evening, or night wherever you are. Be kind!

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Thank you to my recent supporters: Anne, Benjamin, Victoria, and J.

Best,

Naya