Attention Currency: The Push Pull Battle for Focus and Why Algorithms Amplify Shock

The provided texts discuss how **attention functions as the primary currency** in the digital age, outlining a contrast between methods for obtaining it. The first source argues that while **genuine substance and creativity** require patient effort, algorithms and contemporary culture often reward **cheap shock tactics** because they generate rapid, intense engagement, creating a perverse feedback loop that buries deeper content. The second source expands on this by framing attention-seeking into three routes: the **"Pull" method,** which builds deep loyalty through substantive value; the **"Push" method,** which uses sensation and provocation for fast, volatile results; and the **"Incidental" method,** where attention is gained through luck or status. Both sources conclude that although shock offers short-term gains, content built on **honesty and depth has superior enduring cultural value**.