Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy

by James Williams Narrated by Christopher Ragland

Overview

Former Google advertising executive, now Oxford-trained philosopher James Williams launches a plea to society and to the tech industry to help ensure that the technology we all carry with us every day does not distract us from pursuing our true goals in life. As information becomes ever more plentiful, the resource that is becoming more scarce is our attention. In this `attention economy', we need to recognise the fundamental impacts of our new information environment on our lives in order to take back control. Drawing on insights ranging from Diogenes to contemporary tech leaders, Williams's thoughtful and impassioned analysis is sure to provoke discussion and debate. Williams is the inaugural winner of the Nine Dots Prize, a new Prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary social issues.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

‘A very insightful and perceptive analysis of one of the crucial issues of our age: how we spend our time in the infosphere. It will be the starting point for anyone who wishes to create a better future.' Luciano Floridi, University of Oxford

‘In the Arab Spring, technology helped us topple a dictator - and then it tore us apart. The competition for attention poses a fundamental problem for today's society, and no one has gone deeper into this issue than James Williams. If you care about the future of society, pay attention to this book.’ Wael Ghonim, internet activist

'Passionate, provocative, personal and funny! Drawing on philosophy and video games, ancient literature and current science, Stand out of our Light helps us to see what's currently happening to the human experience and how we can take back control.' David Runciman, University of Cambridge

'On the contemporary attention crisis, there is no writer who has thought deeper on it than Williams.His pivotal insight is the recognition that attention is the fuel of our lives, the ingredient essential to any self-chosen goal. Reading this refreshing and rejuvenating book will make you think hard about how life should be lived.' Tim Wu, Columbia University, New York

‘A landmark book.’ The Observer

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173984302
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/01/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos