Preface

Crawford introduces the central concept of his book, the <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Index of Terms" href="https://www.supersummary.com/the-world-beyond-your-head/index-of-terms/#620211">crisis of attention</a> in modern society, which he shows through the theme of <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Themes" href="https://www.supersummary.com/the-world-beyond-your-head/themes/#620201">The Impact of Technology and Advertising on Individual Agency</a>. He suggests that the fragmentation of our mental lives, largely due to technological influences, poses a threat to our ability to maintain a stable and coherent self. This crisis prompts a philosophical inquiry into what it means to be human in an age dominated by digital technology and media. Crawford sets the stage for a discussion that questions foundational aspects of human cognition and explores how these are influenced by cultural and technological changes. This passage encapsulates the book’s exploration of attention as both a psychological construct and a cultural phenomenon, framing the discussion within a broader existential and philosophical <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Literary Device" href="https://www.supersummary.com/context/">context</a>.

Introduction

Crawford explores how modern society’s myriad distractions, often commercial in nature, shape and influence our thoughts and behaviors. He critiques the <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Literary Device" href="https://www.supersummary.com/irony/">irony</a> of perceived individual choice, suggesting that our decisions and focus are increasingly manipulated by commercial interests that fill the cultural void left by the decline of traditional authoritative structures. This manipulation leads to a uniformity in thought and action, disguised as personal freedom, impacting our capacity to form genuine individual thoughts and judgments.

Part 1, Chapter 1

Part 1, Chapter 2

Part 1, Chapter 3

Part 1, Chapter 4

Part 1, Chapter 5

Part 1, Interlude

Part 2, Chapter 6

Part 2, Chapter 7

Part 2, Chapter 8

Part 2, Chapter 9

Part 2, Chapter 10

Part 2, Chapter 11

Part 2, Chapter 12

Part 3, Chapter 13

Epilogue

Humanities

Books About Art

Values & Ideas

Challenging Authority

Society

Globalization

Philosophy, Logic, & Ethics

Power

Social Sciences

Psychology

Natural World

Science & Nature

Health & Wellness

Self-Help Books

Sociology

Matthew B. Crawford

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Part 1: “Encountering Things”

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Part 1, Chapter 4-Interlude

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Part 2: “Other People”

Part 2, Chapters 6-8

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Part 2, Chapters 9-12

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Part 3: “Inheritance”

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