Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--And How to Think Deeply Again

In what ways does Hari’s digital detox make a difference in his life? In what ways does it fail? Why?

What is a “flow state” and how does this state of mind help us understand human attention? Explain with references to the text.

What role do Hari’s personal anecdotes work in a book that primarily examines the findings of neuroscience? What rhetorical function do they serve and why?

According to Hari, what are the consequences of widespread inattention? Explain in detail.

Hari argues that decreasing work time can improve concentration, and ultimately, productivity. Explain this paradox using examples from the text to support your answer.

Hari claims to be even-handed in his presentation of split opinion about ADHD diagnoses and treatment, but the book is clearly picking the side of experts who blame environmental factors. How much balance does Hari bring to his other arguments?

Why does Hari claim Stolen Focus is “not a self-help book” (264)? What genre of nonfiction does the book fall into and why?

Explain the relationship between diet, exercise, pollution, and attention. How does Hari want readers to respond to the large-scale systemic issues he blames for population-wide attention deficits?