Attention Quote by Tristan Harris
“Most notifications you get are because a machine is trying to get your attention. Those notifications aren't built to help you live your life. They're built to get your attention.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: 2016 TED Talk “How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day”
The quote warns that many digital alerts are designed to capture attention rather than serve user wellbeing.
In simple terms: Tech alerts aim to grab focus, not improve life.
Key Takeaway
Be selective with notifications.
Themes
attention economy
technology design
wellbeing
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal productivity
- mental health
- time management
- mindful tech use
Key Concepts
behavioral design
attention hijacking
digital distraction
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you redesign your notification settings for benefit?
- What habits help you resist unnecessary alerts?
A Different Perspective
These alerts can also provide useful information if properly curated.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
