The Attention Economy

How does it feel to be a product? A commodity? Bought and sold?

Because that's what you are. It's what we all are, with rare exceptions.

That's not exactly true. Your whole being is not necessarily being traded on the free market of the Attention Economy. But your attention is. And to the extent that your attention is linear and finite, you are being exploited, with zero compensation for your attention.

That's wrong. Or at least it is my thesis that it's wrong. Your attention has value and you deserve to be compensated for it. At a minimum, you should deny your attention to those who would exploit it (social and mainstream corporate media, and its neediest and most obsequious characters) until/unless you are compensated for it.

My attention costs $60/hour ($1/minute) and I will gladly sell my attention to any buyer for that price. Social and mainstream media presume to demand your attention FOR FREE! And perhaps there is value in that for you. You get to use social media applications FOR FREE because the companies that make those apps are SELLING YOUR ATTENTION to other companies (advertisers) willing to pay a premium price for your attention. But...you are seeing NONE of that monetary compensation. Does that seem fair to you?

Perhaps your attention (and the time you spend sacrificing it on the alter of the attention economy) could be better spent creating REAL VALUE for you. Here are some ideas:

Read books.

Learn a skill or hobby.

Exercise.

Go out to eat.

Make a meal at home and enjoy it.

Have sex.

Walk in nature.

Meditate.

Play board games with friends and/or family.

Learn/play a sport with friends/family.

Those are just a few ideas that popped off the top of my dome. I'd now ask/challenge you to compare those ideas with whatever value it is that you think you get from social/mainstream media. Please share in the comments.

And...GO!

Fin.

Get Off the Internet Soon

In late 2024, I reminded my readers and followers to get off social and mainstream media (SMSM) ENTIRELY in early 2025, and stay off it. While I have no idea who heeded this very timely, accurate, and real warning, I do know that those who have abandoned SMSM consistently are in a much better place in 2026.

I am now calling for people to abandon, disenfranchise, and boycott the entire Internet. This may seem like a bridge too far. It isn't. The Internet is now poison to the mind, body, and soul. It's information has been scientifically shown to be low value and of questionable credibility. You are literally smarter and happier when you are OFF THE INTERNET. Not everyone can or will get off the Internet. That is unfortunate. But those who can should and MUST if there is to be any hope for humanity going forward.

The Internet algos will work very hard to hide and bury this post so most people do not see it. Hopefully, you are not "most people" and you do see it...then also heed it. Because you future well being depends on it.

Fin.

Travelog Imminent

Hi Dear Readers!

I hope this post finds you and brings you joy, insight, and/or actions steps for defeating the Diabolical Forces in the Universe (DFUs). Pro Tip: One of the easiest ways to thwart the DFUs is to be positive and kind to others. And "others" includes not just your fellow humans, but also all sentient creatures. That's one of the reasons why a vegan diet is one of the three Tenets of the Church of Bike With Joe (CoBWJ).

I'm grubbing down on some tofu steaks this morning. The recipe is very simple. I take a block of super firm tofu (a whole 'nother level of firmness above extra firm...but if you only have extra firm, put it in a tofu press overnight and it will be super firm by morning) and cut into into six large and thick rectangular slices. I put about two TBSP of oil in a fry pan and heat it on high. I put the tofu steaks in the fry pan and as the tofu starts to brown on one side, I add herbs and spices to the exposed side. Then I flip the steaks and season the (now brown and oily) other side. Once the original side has browned, I flip them one last time and turn off the heat. I let them sit a bit, which seems to enhance the flavor. You can use whatever spices and seasonings you want. Today, I used black pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and salt.

In other news, a Travelog is imminent. So, stay tuned to this blog for the next two weeks if you want to live vicariously through me on a fantastic trip to the tropics.

Fin.