--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are monumentally distracted by a…" description: "\"We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive technological culture that appears to have a life of its own, one that insists on our full attention, con..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg" --- # We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive… ![“We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive technological culture that appears to have a life of its own, one that insists on our full attention, continually seducing us and pulling us away from the opportunity to experience directly the true meaning of our own lives.” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg) > “We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive technological culture that appears to have a life of its own, one that insists on our full attention, continually seducing us and pulling us away from the opportunity to experience directly the true meaning of our own lives.” [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A technology‑driven culture constantly demands attention, pulling us away from living meaningfully. **In simple terms:** Tech distracts us from life's true meaning. Key Takeaway Limit tech use to reclaim focus. Themes distraction technology meaning attention mindfulness Mood reflective concerned Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - social media scrolling - constant notifications - work meetings - advertising overload Key Concepts cultural critique psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does your daily tech use affect your sense of purpose? - What small changes can restore direct experience? A Different Perspective The quote may overstate technology's agency, ignoring personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [True meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-meaning/) ## Related quotes > [For example, we have developed an artistic and a literary culture. Nevertheless, the ideals of technological culture remain underdeveloped and therefore outside of popular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/for-example-we-have-developed-an-artistic-and-a-literary-culture/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [I am increasingly convinced that technological culture is the entire root of women's liberation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/i-am-increasingly-convinced-that-technological-culture-is-the-entire/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [“It may well be that what we have hitherto understood as architecture, and what we are beginning to understand of technology, are incompatible disciplines.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rener-banham/it-may-well-be-that-what-we-have-hitherto-understood-as-architecture/) Rener Banham > [I could give examples of cabinet ministers, including defence ministers, who have no technological culture at all. In other words, what I am suggesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/i-could-give-examples-of-cabinet-ministers-including-defence/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [The ideals of technological culture remain underdeveloped and therefore outside of popular culture and the practical ideals of democracy. This is also why society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/the-ideals-of-technological-culture-remain-underdeveloped-and/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [Even among the elite, in government circles, technological culture is somewhat deficient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/even-among-the-elite-in-government-circles-technological-culture-is/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [Resistance is always possible! But we must engage in resistance first of all by developing the idea of a technological culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/resistance-is-always-possible-but-we-must-engage-in-resistance-first/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [Being a mother is the only true meaning in my life. It's everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-stephanie-of-monaco/being-a-mother-is-the-only-true-meaning-in-my-life-it-s-everything/) [Princess Stephanie of Monaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-stephanie-of-monaco/) > [“He wished the man would honor the true meaning of words, instead of using them as ammunition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/he-wished-the-man-would-honor-the-true-meaning-of-words-instead-of/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [THE ART OF PEACE does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead, we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-does-not-rely-on-weapons-or-brute-force-to-succeed/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [Once I know the true meaning of love I will be saying 'I Do.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-i-know-the-true-meaning-of-love-i-will-be-saying-i-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The true meaning and purpose of life is to give some meaning and purpose to your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/the-true-meaning-and-purpose-of-life-is-to-give-some-meaning-and/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [If someone can make you laugh when you're about to cry, don't give up on them. They're the true meaning of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/if-someone-can-make-you-laugh-when-you-re-about-to-cry-don-t-give-up/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The true meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-meaning/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Christmas: It's the only religious holiday that's also a federal holiday. That way, Christians can go to their services, and everyone else can sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-bee/christmas-it-s-the-only-religious-holiday-that-s-also-a-federal/) [Samantha Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-bee/) ## More by Al Gore > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Mother Nature does not do bailouts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/mother-nature-does-not-do-bailouts/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-climate-crisis-is-not-a-political-issue-it-is-a-moral-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-decided-to-pick-the-diet-that-i-thought-would-maximize-my-chances/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [You know there's an old african proverb that i made up: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/you-know-there-s-an-old-african-proverb-that-i-made-up-if-you-want-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [One tragic example of the loss of forests and then water is found in Ethiopia. The amount of its forested land has decreased from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/one-tragic-example-of-the-loss-of-forests-and-then-water-is-found-in/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The ten hottest years in the atmospheric record, going back only 160 years, have been in the last eleven years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-ten-hottest-years-in-the-atmospheric-record-going-back-only-160/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [When you talk about President Trump, the cable networks turned over so many hours of prime time to him. Why? Because he was entertaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/when-you-talk-about-president-trump-the-cable-networks-turned-over-so/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are skeptics who do not come to their view because they have a source of income from carbon polluters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-skeptics-who-do-not-come-to-their-view-because-they-have-a/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Our civilization is experiencing unprecedented changes across many realms, largely due to the rapid advancement of information technology. The ability to code and understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/our-civilization-is-experiencing-unprecedented-changes-across-many/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are many who would much prefer that the word 'climate' never be mentioned and that the issue be eliminated from our national conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-many-who-would-much-prefer-that-the-word-climate-never-be/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [As many know, the Chinese expression for "crisis" consists of two characters side by side. The first is the symbol for "danger," the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/as-many-know-the-chinese-expression-for-crisis-consists-of-two/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I think George W. Bush has a warm, engaging personality. But, you know, the presidency is more than just a popularity contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-think-george-w-bush-has-a-warm-engaging-personality-but-you-know/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) [Explore all 447 Al Gore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive technological culture that appears to have a life of its own, one that insists on our full attention, continually seducing us and pulling us away from the opportunity to experience directly the true meaning of our own lives.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Al Gore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-pervasive-technological-culture/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attention" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-pervasive-technological-culture/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f40/al-gore-609_attention_we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-perv_2631208.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are monumentally distracted by a pervasive technological culture that appears to have a life of its own…” — Al Gore", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Al Gore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are monumentally distracted by a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-pervasive-technological-culture/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-are-monumentally-distracted-by-a-pervasive-technological-culture/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```