The Attention Economy Explained

That’s the business model. Your attention is auctioned in microseconds to the highest bidder.

You’re not paying with money — you’re paying with minutes, with focus, with privacy.

Let’s talk about how this actually works — because it’s both genius and terrifying.

The old economy was about selling products. You paid for a car, a meal,

or a shirt — a one-time transaction. The new economy is built on attention. Every second you

spend online is monetized. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok,

and YouTube sell advertisers your engagement. The longer you stay, the more ads you

see — and the more money they make. In 2024 alone, global social media ad revenue surpassed