Stolen Focus
by Johann Hari
How Our Attention Was Hijacked (And How To Get It Back)
12
Chapters
67+
Action steps
12
Minutes
PERSONALIZED
Action steps tailored to your goals in the Pustakh app
Preview — Chapter 01: The Increase in Speed, Switching, and Filtering
Modern life pushes us to do everything faster - scroll quicker, switch tasks constantly, and skim instead of read. On the surface it feels efficient, but underneath, it destroys depth. When attention is pulled in many directions at once, the brain never fully immerses in anything. The result is shallow engagement, where we process a lot of information but absorb very little. Speed has a hidden cost . Each switch drains mental energy, leaving us more tired and less able to focus. Filtering through endless feeds and notifications gives the illusion of productivity, but it erodes the capacity for sustained thought. Instead of concentrating, we learn to jump, skim, and move on quickly. Over time, this rewires the brain away from focus and toward distraction. Breaking free means recognizing that faster is not always better. Slowing down, doing one thing at a time, and resisting the urge to constantly switch are small acts of rebellion against a system designed to fragment attention. Depth takes time, and reclaiming it begins by stepping out of the cycle of speed.
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Stolen Focus summary — FAQ
What will I get from the Stolen Focus summary on Pustakh?
The key ideas of "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari, distilled into a roughly 15-minute read across 12 chapters, plus 67+ personalized action steps built around your goals and an optional audio version.
How long does the Stolen Focus summary take?
About 12 minutes to read the full summary on Pustakh, or you can listen to the audio version.
Does Stolen Focus have an audio summary?
Select Pustakh titles include audio summaries you can play in your browser, and new audio titles are added every week.
Is the Stolen Focus summary free?
You can read the introduction to "Stolen Focus" for free. Full access to every chapter and your personalized action steps is included with a Pustakh subscription. New accounts start with a free 3-day trial — no credit card required.
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