The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life

Name: The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life
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Book Synopsis: "Enough about me," goes the old saying, "what about you? What do you think about me?" Hence the pursuit of attention is alive and well. Even the Oxford English Dictionary reveals a modern coinage to reflect the chase in our technological age: "ego-surfing"--searching the Internet for occurrences of your own name. What is the cause of this obsessive need for others' recognition? This useful and popular volume, now in a second edition that features major new introductory and concluding essays, entertainingly ponders this question. Derber argues that there is a general lack of social support in today's America, one which causes people to vie hungrily for attention, and he shows how individuals will often employ numerous techniques to turn the course of a conversation towards themselves. Illustrating this "conversational narcissism" with sample dialogues that will seem disturbingly familiar to all readers, this book analyzes the pursuit of attention in conversation--as well as in politics and celebrity culture--and demonstrates the ultimate importance of gender, class, and racial differences in competing for attention. Derber shows how changes in the economy and culture--such as the advent of the Internet--have intensified the rampant individualism and egotism of today. And finally, in a new afterword, he focuses on solutions: how to restructure the economy and culture to humanize ourselves and increase the capacity for community, empathy, and attention-giving.

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Are you tired of feeling like your voice doesn't matter? Do you find yourself constantly seeking validation and recognition? Introducing "The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life", a thought-provoking book that delves deep into the reasons behind our obsessive need for attention. This second edition features major new essays that shed light on the modern phenomena of ego-surfing and conversational narcissism.

Author Derber recognizes that in today's society, social support is scarce, leading individuals to aggressively compete for attention. Through relatable and eye-opening dialogue examples, this book exposes the common tactics people use to grab the spotlight. Whether in everyday conversations, politics, or celebrity culture, the pursuit of attention is apparent across all aspects of life.

What sets this book apart is its focus on the impact of gender, class, and racial differences on the attention-seeking game. Derber highlights how these factors influence the competition for recognition. Furthermore, he emphasizes how our economy and culture, including the rise of the Internet, have exacerbated individualism and egotism.

But fear not, as this book doesn't just analyze the problem—it also offers solutions. In a compelling afterword, Derber presents ideas on restructuring our economy and culture to foster a sense of community, empathy, and attention-giving. It's time to take a step back from our self-centered society and embrace a more connected and understanding world.

Ready to unravel the complexities of attention-seeking behavior and learn how to reshape our social landscape? Get your copy of "The Pursuit of Attention: Power and Ego in Everyday Life" today and embark on a journey towards a more compassionate and attentive society.

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