Hardware Podcasts

HIBT Lab! Stolen Focus: Johann Hari

How I Built This · 19 May 2022 · 29m

What this episode covers

Author Johann Hari discusses his book 'Stolen Focus,' explaining that the global attention crisis is caused by 12 systemic factors, including tech design, sleep deprivation, and poor diet, rather than just individual willpower. He details his personal experiment of living without a smartphone for three months in Provincetown, which restored his cognitive abilities, and outlines the science of 'flow states' as a tool for deep work. Hari argues for both individual defense mechanisms, like using a K-Safe, and collective political action to reclaim attention from powerful external forces.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
U.S. Bank, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Google, MIT, Harvard Medical School
Products
Stolen Focus, K-Safe, Freedom

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 06m

    Episode 314: You have to trick yourself

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the psychological challenges of maintaining focus and productivity after the structured environment of their TV show ended. They explore strategies for entering a 'flow state,' such as eliminating distractions, using music to block out noise, and 'tricking' oneself into starting overwhelming tasks by breaking them down into small steps. The conversation also covers Jimmy's DIY porch renovation, David's interest in film photography and unique wood projects, and Bob's kitchen renovation delays.

    Founder wellbeingCareers & education
    7 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 09m

    231: Single Origin Coffee

    Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, discusses his new book 'WTF: What's the Future and Why It's Up to Us', exploring the shift from shareholder value to platform ecosystems and the future of work. He argues that while technology creates dislocation, it also generates new jobs through the 'law of conservation of attractive profits,' citing the rise of single-origin coffee as an example of value creation. O'Reilly also reflects on his role in defining open source, the importance of building trusted institutions, and the history of O'Reilly's iconic animal book covers.

    Growth, exits & acquisitionsAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • Being an Engineer · 48m

    S2 E43 Engineering Productivity | Matthew Gaddy

    Matthew Gaddy, an electrical engineer and owner of Gaddy Consulting LLC, explains how engineers can escape 50+ hour work weeks by prioritizing 'must-do' tasks that directly align with specific goals. He details techniques for training focus, such as meditation and distraction-free time blocking, to enable 'deep work' on complex problems. Gaddy also advises on managing communication channels like Microsoft Teams and email, emphasizing that setting clear availability expectations prevents the productivity loss caused by perpetual availability.

    Careers & educationLeadership, teams & culture
    10 chapters

  • Let's Combinate · 1h 01m

    013 - “Big Rocks and Little Rocks” with Jumha Abu-Razeq

    Jumha Abu-Razeq, founder of StoopidFit, discusses his transition from mechanical engineering to lifestyle nutrition coaching, emphasizing a holistic approach to fat loss that prioritizes sleep, stress management, and recovery over rigid dieting. He explains how focusing on 'big rocks' like total calorie intake and sleep, rather than 'little rocks' like specific carb sources or exercise types, simplifies behavior change and reduces reliance on willpower. Abu-Razeq advocates for setting goals for one's current self, using small wins to build self-efficacy, and creating supportive environments to make healthy choices automatic.

    Validation & product-market fitDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 07m

    Episode 132: The bottleneck

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss how to manage 'cognitive bottlenecks' by identifying and resolving the single most critical task that blocks all other progress, such as finishing an office before tackling home renovations. They then address the unique challenges of being public figures, sharing anecdotes about unexpected recognition in private settings and the ethical considerations of sharing family life and personal struggles on social media. The hosts also highlight upcoming maker events like Maker Fair New York and BenchCon, while sharing recommendations for YouTube creators and music.

    Validation & product-market fitMarketing & brand
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by How I Built This. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.