Seeking Attention: 30 Ways of Being Present

A book depicting the intimate complicity between attention and identity. . . ＂You are what you pay attention to.＂

Seeking Attentionexplores the essential but elusive nature of attention through a fresh, thought-provoking lens. Drawing inspiration from Simone Weil’s assertion that ＂attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity,＂ this book brings attention into focus through a novel collection of short ＂portraits＂ that each examine how archetypal figures--like the detective, the fan, the therapist, the parent, and the lover--engage with attention in unique ways.

- Accessible and Thought-Provoking: Written in an approachable style, this book offers an engaging introduction to the growing field of attention studies, sparking new reflections on how we pay attention.

- Diverse Archetypes: Each figure represents a different approach to attention--highlighting its blind spots, failures, and occasional triumphs--prompting readers to reflect on their own habits.

- A Phenomenology of Attention: Through these portraits, readers are invited to rethink their understanding of attention, noticing how it shapes relationships, work, and the world around them.

- Addressing the ＂Industrial-Distraction Complex＂ Offering alternative models for true presence, Seeking Attention encourages multi-sensory awareness as a powerful counter to our age of distraction.

Seeking Attention is an ideal read for those interested in cultural studies, psychology, or mindfulness, providing fresh insights into the vital role attention plays in both personal growth and collective well-being.

Dominic Pettman is University Professor of Media and New Humanities at The New School in New York City. He is the author of numerous books on technology, humans, and other animals; including Creaturely Love (Minnesota), Sonic Intimacy (Stanford), Peak Libido (Polity), Telling the Bees (Fordham), and Sad Planets (with Eugene Thacker).