Commodification of Attention

The process by which human focus, awareness, and cognitive presence are transformed into a tradable commodity. In the commodification of attention, your time and mental energy are extracted, packaged, and sold to advertisers, data brokers, and political campaigns. You are not a user; you are inventory. The commodification of attention reduces human consciousness to a raw material, and it structures digital environments to maximize extraction rather than benefit the person paying attention.

Example: “He noticed that every app had become a slot machine—pull to refresh, see if there’s a reward. Commodification of attention: his focus was the product, and the design was the extraction mechanism.”

Elitism of Attention

The hierarchy in which those who can afford to control their attention—who can ignore ads, resist algorithms, pay for ad‑free experiences, or disconnect entirely—occupy a privileged class, while those without resources are forced to have their attention harvested. The elitism of attention means the wealthy can focus on what matters; the poor are trapped in engagement loops designed to extract value from their distraction. It’s a new form of class division: attention-rich versus attention-poor.

Example: “She paid for premium subscriptions to avoid ads, while her students couldn’t afford to escape the same platforms. Elitism of attention: the ability to pay for focus is a privilege.”

Commodification of Attention by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 20, 2026