21st century Quote by Jesse Schell
“I often think of it this way: The 21st century is going to be a war on the attention of humanity. Where civilization focuses its attention, I mean, that's what defines what the civilization cares about.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: TED Talk, "The Future of Play", 2015
The quote warns that societies compete for collective focus, and the dominant focus shapes cultural priorities and values.
In simple terms: Attention determines what civilization values.
Key Takeaway
Guard your focus, choose meaningful pursuits.
Themes
attention
culture
technology
values
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal productivity
- media consumption
- policy making
- education design
Key Concepts
media influence
collective consciousness
digital distraction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what deserves your attention?
- What mechanisms can protect societal focus?
A Different Perspective
Attention is limited; competing interests can dilute depth of insight.
