thank you already for your attention your attention is the most important
your attention is the most important
your attention is the most important gift you can give if we be really
gift you can give if we be really
gift you can give if we be really attentive at work really focused on a
attentive at work really focused on a
attentive at work really focused on a task we might call that form of
task we might call that form of
task we might call that form of attention concentration if you’ve been
attention concentration if you’ve been
attention concentration if you’ve been lucky enough to be in a relationship
lucky enough to be in a relationship
lucky enough to be in a relationship where the other person has made you feel
where the other person has made you feel
where the other person has made you feel like the center of their universe then
like the center of their universe then
like the center of their universe then we might call that love and if you
we might call that love and if you
we might call that love and if you haven’t already don’t worry it’ll come
haven’t already don’t worry it’ll come
haven’t already don’t worry it’ll come all of you here now focused on the
all of you here now focused on the
all of you here now focused on the wonderful speakers here today focused on
wonderful speakers here today focused on
wonderful speakers here today focused on our red dots giving us your attention we
our red dots giving us your attention we
our red dots giving us your attention we might call that presence attention is
might call that presence attention is
might call that presence attention is the most fantastic gift you can give
the most fantastic gift you can give
the most fantastic gift you can give some people say time’s your greatest
some people say time’s your greatest
some people say time’s your greatest asset I prefer attention because it
asset I prefer attention because it
asset I prefer attention because it forces you to ask the question how am I
forces you to ask the question how am I
forces you to ask the question how am I going to spend that time and as human
going to spend that time and as human
going to spend that time and as human beings when we focus our attention we
beings when we focus our attention we
beings when we focus our attention we can achieve amazing things we can send
can achieve amazing things we can send
can achieve amazing things we can send people to the moon we can progress
people to the moon we can progress
people to the moon we can progress towards curing horrible diseases like
towards curing horrible diseases like
towards curing horrible diseases like cancer and we can create technologies
cancer and we can create technologies
cancer and we can create technologies that connect us with the some told
that connect us with the some told
that connect us with the some told knowledge of the whole human race just
knowledge of the whole human race just
knowledge of the whole human race just through a simple web search and we can
through a simple web search and we can
through a simple web search and we can also create technologies that connects
also create technologies that connects
also create technologies that connects us all together so you can speak to
us all together so you can speak to
us all together so you can speak to anybody anytime around the world I think
anybody anytime around the world I think
anybody anytime around the world I think there’s a problem brewing here and the
there’s a problem brewing here and the
there’s a problem brewing here and the problem is paradoxically that same
problem is paradoxically that same
problem is paradoxically that same technology I think is threatening our
technology I think is threatening our
technology I think is threatening our ability to pay attention so the average
ability to pay attention so the average
ability to pay attention so the average smartphone user touches their phone
smartphone user touches their phone
smartphone user touches their phone something like twenty two thousand six
something like twenty two thousand six
something like twenty two thousand six hundred times a day in about 150
hundred times a day in about 150
hundred times a day in about 150 different sessions because of the type
different sessions because of the type
different sessions because of the type of audience you are you’ll probably a
of audience you are you’ll probably a
of audience you are you’ll probably a bit above average as well so you’re
bit above average as well so you’re
bit above average as well so you’re probably in the three thousand three and
probably in the three thousand three and
probably in the three thousand three and a half thousand touching per day and all
a half thousand touching per day and all
a half thousand touching per day and all of this is brand spanking new it’s come
of this is brand spanking new it’s come
of this is brand spanking new it’s come about in the last five ten years or so
about in the last five ten years or so
about in the last five ten years or so so what does that kind of look like in a
so what does that kind of look like in a
so what does that kind of look like in a typical day well here’s kind of my diary
typical day well here’s kind of my diary
typical day well here’s kind of my diary yeah here’s my sort of work diary
yeah here’s my sort of work diary
yeah here’s my sort of work diary typical day I’ve set my alarm for 7:00
typical day I’ve set my alarm for 7:00
typical day I’ve set my alarm for 7:00 I’ll get up going up to breakfast
I’ll get up going up to breakfast
I’ll get up going up to breakfast travel to work I’ll sort of spent the
travel to work I’ll sort of spent the
travel to work I’ll sort of spent the first hour or so writing some strategy
first hour or so writing some strategy
first hour or so writing some strategy paper because that’s when I’m you know
paper because that’s when I’m you know
paper because that’s when I’m you know most tuned in it’s early in the morning
most tuned in it’s early in the morning
most tuned in it’s early in the morning my
my
my rains buzzing I’ll write some strategy I
rains buzzing I’ll write some strategy I
rains buzzing I’ll write some strategy I might meet the boss in the cafe do some
might meet the boss in the cafe do some
might meet the boss in the cafe do some other presentation like a TED talk get
other presentation like a TED talk get
other presentation like a TED talk get get into that in the morning meet with
get into that in the morning meet with
get into that in the morning meet with the team have some lunch to recharge and
the team have some lunch to recharge and
the team have some lunch to recharge and refresh go off into the city and meet
refresh go off into the city and meet
refresh go off into the city and meet some people come back again and finish
some people come back again and finish
some people come back again and finish off with a bit of admin just to kind of
off with a bit of admin just to kind of
off with a bit of admin just to kind of tidy up the day that’s sort of if you
tidy up the day that’s sort of if you
tidy up the day that’s sort of if you look at my calendar that’s what my
look at my calendar that’s what my
look at my calendar that’s what my workday kind of looks like typical
workday kind of looks like typical
workday kind of looks like typical workday in reality if we’re not careful
workday in reality if we’re not careful
workday in reality if we’re not careful it can look very different to this
it can look very different to this
it can look very different to this though so quite often I’ll wake before
though so quite often I’ll wake before
though so quite often I’ll wake before the alarm goes off and I’ll reach over
the alarm goes off and I’ll reach over
the alarm goes off and I’ll reach over to check what time it is and of course
to check what time it is and of course
to check what time it is and of course suddenly up there there’s a little
suddenly up there there’s a little
suddenly up there there’s a little Facebook notification saying that I’ve
Facebook notification saying that I’ve
Facebook notification saying that I’ve got a new message or a new share or a
got a new message or a new share or a
got a new message or a new share or a new comment or so so I’ll have a quick
new comment or so so I’ll have a quick
new comment or so so I’ll have a quick look at that and that will take me off
look at that and that will take me off
look at that and that will take me off into six or twelve different things and
into six or twelve different things and
into six or twelve different things and I might comment on a couple of things
I might comment on a couple of things
I might comment on a couple of things then I think oh no I must you know the
then I think oh no I must you know the
then I think oh no I must you know the alarm hasn’t gone off yet I’ll just pop
alarm hasn’t gone off yet I’ll just pop
alarm hasn’t gone off yet I’ll just pop it back on the bedside table but before
it back on the bedside table but before
it back on the bedside table but before I do I’ll just have another little swipe
I do I’ll just have another little swipe
I do I’ll just have another little swipe down and refresh just to check again
down and refresh just to check again
down and refresh just to check again before I doze off again for kind of 5-10
before I doze off again for kind of 5-10
before I doze off again for kind of 5-10 minutes then the alarm goes off and I’ll
minutes then the alarm goes off and I’ll
minutes then the alarm goes off and I’ll reach for the alarm which of course is
reach for the alarm which of course is
reach for the alarm which of course is my smartphone so the first thing I see
my smartphone so the first thing I see
my smartphone so the first thing I see is more kind of notifications so I’ll
is more kind of notifications so I’ll
is more kind of notifications so I’ll probably spend a little bit of time on
probably spend a little bit of time on
probably spend a little bit of time on them and then I’ll go down to a
them and then I’ll go down to a
them and then I’ll go down to a breakfast and have some travel but while
breakfast and have some travel but while
breakfast and have some travel but while I’m at breakfast I’m kind of checking
I’m at breakfast I’m kind of checking
I’m at breakfast I’m kind of checking again you’re not having a quick sneaky
again you’re not having a quick sneaky
again you’re not having a quick sneaky look and doing some more updates and and
look and doing some more updates and and
look and doing some more updates and and it’s interfering me rewriting my
it’s interfering me rewriting my
it’s interfering me rewriting my strategy paper the notifications all
strategy paper the notifications all
strategy paper the notifications all those naughty pings and dings and
those naughty pings and dings and
those naughty pings and dings and vibrations in your pocket are
vibrations in your pocket are
vibrations in your pocket are distracting you from your real kind of
distracting you from your real kind of
distracting you from your real kind of work you’re deep creative tasks that you
work you’re deep creative tasks that you
work you’re deep creative tasks that you have to do I’m going to meet the boss in
have to do I’m going to meet the boss in
have to do I’m going to meet the boss in the cafe so I probably won’t check
the cafe so I probably won’t check
the cafe so I probably won’t check Facebook then I’ll be a bit more
Facebook then I’ll be a bit more
Facebook then I’ll be a bit more professional and having a quick look at
professional and having a quick look at
professional and having a quick look at my linkedin and this kind of goes on
my linkedin and this kind of goes on
my linkedin and this kind of goes on throughout the day this kind of goes on
throughout the day this kind of goes on
throughout the day this kind of goes on and of course it’s not just Facebook is
and of course it’s not just Facebook is
and of course it’s not just Facebook is it of course it’s not Facebook we’ve got
it of course it’s not Facebook we’ve got
it of course it’s not Facebook we’ve got Twitter to deal with and then we’ve got
Twitter to deal with and then we’ve got
Twitter to deal with and then we’ve got LinkedIn to deal with and we’ve got
LinkedIn to deal with and we’ve got
LinkedIn to deal with and we’ve got email which kind of expands to fit the
email which kind of expands to fit the
email which kind of expands to fit the remaining kind of available space and
remaining kind of available space and
remaining kind of available space and you’ll see I’ve kind of left kind of 11
you’ll see I’ve kind of left kind of 11
you’ll see I’ve kind of left kind of 11 or 12 o’clock is a nice blank space but
or 12 o’clock is a nice blank space but
or 12 o’clock is a nice blank space but just before we go to bed we’ll have
just before we go to bed we’ll have
just before we go to bed we’ll have another little swipe just see what’s
another little swipe just see what’s
another little swipe just see what’s happening out in the world that we’ve
happening out in the world that we’ve
happening out in the world that we’ve missed and this isn’t the full picture
missed and this isn’t the full picture
missed and this isn’t the full picture of course is it either this isn’t the
of course is it either this isn’t the
of course is it either this isn’t the full picture this is what days look like
full picture this is what days look like
full picture this is what days look like for people at the moment and of course
for people at the moment and of course
for people at the moment and of course this bleeds into our personal life in
this bleeds into our personal life in
this bleeds into our personal life in the evenings and suddenly our kind of
the evenings and suddenly our kind of
the evenings and suddenly our kind of loving relationships start to look a bit
loving relationships start to look a bit
loving relationships start to look a bit like two people connected to the rest of
like two people connected to the rest of
like two people connected to the rest of the planet but not to each other
the planet but not to each other
the planet but not to each other and after a while you know this whole
and after a while you know this whole
and after a while you know this whole kind of thing just feels like it’s
kind of thing just feels like it’s
kind of thing just feels like it’s crowding out the rest of life there was
crowding out the rest of life there was
crowding out the rest of life there was a wonderful parody a few years ago I
a wonderful parody a few years ago I
a wonderful parody a few years ago I don’t know if anybody saw this who’s
don’t know if anybody saw this who’s
don’t know if anybody saw this who’s played farmville in the past so
played farmville in the past so
played farmville in the past so farmville was a game on online game
farmville was a game on online game
farmville was a game on online game about nine years ago it reached a
about nine years ago it reached a
about nine years ago it reached a hundred million players worldwide it was
hundred million players worldwide it was
hundred million players worldwide it was a Facebook game and it really started
a Facebook game and it really started
a Facebook game and it really started was the first engine of this compulsion
was the first engine of this compulsion
was the first engine of this compulsion to go back and click on things and touch
to go back and click on things and touch
to go back and click on things and touch your phone and touch them and it was a
your phone and touch them and it was a
your phone and touch them and it was a game and you you you you’ve bought
game and you you you you’ve bought
game and you you you you’ve bought virtual crops and planted them in
virtual crops and planted them in
virtual crops and planted them in virtual field seldom in virtual markets
virtual field seldom in virtual markets
virtual field seldom in virtual markets or virtual money which used to buy more
or virtual money which used to buy more
or virtual money which used to buy more virtual crops and pigs and sheep and
virtual crops and pigs and sheep and
virtual crops and pigs and sheep and cows and grow them bigger and then sell
cows and grow them bigger and then sell
cows and grow them bigger and then sell them and so on and so on and so on and
them and so on and so on and so on and
them and so on and so on and so on and you could buy a virtual tractor for five
you could buy a virtual tractor for five
you could buy a virtual tractor for five dollars which would enable you to do
dollars which would enable you to do
dollars which would enable you to do that a lot faster and she’d go visit
that a lot faster and she’d go visit
that a lot faster and she’d go visit friends farms but it was just this
friends farms but it was just this
friends farms but it was just this compulsive tens of millions of young
compulsive tens of millions of young
compulsive tens of millions of young boys were getting up in the morning and
boys were getting up in the morning and
boys were getting up in the morning and being in time for school because they
being in time for school because they
being in time for school because they were getting up to check their farm
were getting up to check their farm
were getting up to check their farm first before they went to school I think
first before they went to school I think
first before they went to school I think there’s one good thing came out of it
there’s one good thing came out of it
there’s one good thing came out of it this guy developed this parody called
this guy developed this parody called
this guy developed this parody called cow clicker and you just had an image of
cow clicker and you just had an image of
cow clicker and you just had an image of a cow and what you had to do is every
a cow and what you had to do is every
a cow and what you had to do is every six hours go back and click on the cow
six hours go back and click on the cow
six hours go back and click on the cow and if you went back and clicked on the
and if you went back and clicked on the
and if you went back and clicked on the cow you earned the right to click on the
cow you earned the right to click on the
cow you earned the right to click on the cow again in six six hours time and you
cow again in six six hours time and you
cow again in six six hours time and you could buy more clicks to click on your
could buy more clicks to click on your
could buy more clicks to click on your cow by spending what he called mooney
cow by spending what he called mooney
cow by spending what he called mooney virtual currency and mooney obviously
virtual currency and mooney obviously
virtual currency and mooney obviously was a reference to the cow but it was
was a reference to the cow but it was
was a reference to the cow but it was also a reference to Bill Mooney who was
also a reference to Bill Mooney who was
also a reference to Bill Mooney who was the vice president of Zynga the company
the vice president of Zynga the company
the vice president of Zynga the company that made farmville and this kind of
that made farmville and this kind of
that made farmville and this kind of predated or a lot of these applications
predated or a lot of these applications
predated or a lot of these applications that we use that we constantly kind of
that we use that we constantly kind of
that we use that we constantly kind of get embarked at by our technology to
get embarked at by our technology to
get embarked at by our technology to kind of respond to and I see this in
kind of respond to and I see this in
kind of respond to and I see this in real life a lot a few years back I was
real life a lot a few years back I was
real life a lot a few years back I was doing to work in the music industry and
doing to work in the music industry and
doing to work in the music industry and you go to a rock concert now and half
you go to a rock concert now and half
you go to a rock concert now and half the people there the production company
the people there the production company
the people there the production company spent hundreds of thousands of pounds
spent hundreds of thousands of pounds
spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating this wonderful high fidelity
creating this wonderful high fidelity
creating this wonderful high fidelity experience is incredible audio and the
experience is incredible audio and the
experience is incredible audio and the lasers and the light show and the band
lasers and the light show and the band
lasers and the light show and the band spent years rehearsing their stage craft
spent years rehearsing their stage craft
spent years rehearsing their stage craft to give you this fantastic experience
to give you this fantastic experience
to give you this fantastic experience and half the people are up there looking
and half the people are up there looking
and half the people are up there looking it’s there and they’re looking up here
it’s there and they’re looking up here
it’s there and they’re looking up here through this crappy little device
through this crappy little device
through this crappy little device recording it with an awful sound quality
recording it with an awful sound quality
recording it with an awful sound quality that they’re going to share for a whole
that they’re going to share for a whole
that they’re going to share for a whole load of people who don’t really care
load of people who don’t really care
load of people who don’t really care kind of weird to me it’s sort of showing
kind of weird to me it’s sort of showing
kind of weird to me it’s sort of showing up for the concert but missing the gig
up for the concert but missing the gig
up for the concert but missing the gig and I see exactly this at work where
and I see exactly this at work where
and I see exactly this at work where constant interruptions you know people
constant interruptions you know people
constant interruptions you know people say we supposed to be good at
say we supposed to be good at
say we supposed to be good at multitasking
multitasking
multitasking I wonder if multitasking is kind of
I wonder if multitasking is kind of
I wonder if multitasking is kind of screwing up multiple things at the same
screwing up multiple things at the same
screwing up multiple things at the same time I might be really bad at
time I might be really bad at
time I might be really bad at multitasking of course because my age
multitasking of course because my age
multitasking of course because my age because my gender because the wine
because my gender because the wine
because my gender because the wine quantity I drink in the evenings or
quantity I drink in the evenings or
quantity I drink in the evenings or because of Technology I’m going to blame
because of Technology I’m going to blame
because of Technology I’m going to blame the last one I think technology is very
the last one I think technology is very
the last one I think technology is very interruptive very destructive and
interruptive very destructive and
interruptive very destructive and actually research shows that if you get
actually research shows that if you get
actually research shows that if you get if you’re involved in a really creative
if you’re involved in a really creative
if you’re involved in a really creative task that needs your attention and you
task that needs your attention and you
task that needs your attention and you get distracted it takes you 25 minutes
get distracted it takes you 25 minutes
get distracted it takes you 25 minutes to get back on task you imagine how what
to get back on task you imagine how what
to get back on task you imagine how what that’s doing to your ability to be to be
that’s doing to your ability to be to be
that’s doing to your ability to be to be creative and even worse that it’s worse
creative and even worse that it’s worse
creative and even worse that it’s worse these constant interruptions knock
these constant interruptions knock
these constant interruptions knock fifteen IQ points of your intelligence
fifteen IQ points of your intelligence
fifteen IQ points of your intelligence it’s like losing a full night’s sleep
it’s like losing a full night’s sleep
it’s like losing a full night’s sleep and perhaps even worse than that there’s
and perhaps even worse than that there’s
and perhaps even worse than that there’s some evidence to suggest that it’s
some evidence to suggest that it’s
some evidence to suggest that it’s physically damaging the area of our
physically damaging the area of our
physically damaging the area of our brain that deals with emotional
brain that deals with emotional
brain that deals with emotional intelligence how we relate with each
intelligence how we relate with each
intelligence how we relate with each other and the rest of the world and
other and the rest of the world and
other and the rest of the world and possibly these increases in depression
possibly these increases in depression
possibly these increases in depression statistics work dissatisfaction are
statistics work dissatisfaction are
statistics work dissatisfaction are maybe symptoms of some of this so I
maybe symptoms of some of this so I
maybe symptoms of some of this so I think your attention is under threat
think your attention is under threat
think your attention is under threat from these kind of crazy kind of
from these kind of crazy kind of
from these kind of crazy kind of Facebook or not just Facebook but social
Facebook or not just Facebook but social
Facebook or not just Facebook but social media updates your phone pinging there’s
media updates your phone pinging there’s
media updates your phone pinging there’s new messages when you’re sitting there
new messages when you’re sitting there
new messages when you’re sitting there with your partner in the evenings and of
with your partner in the evenings and of
with your partner in the evenings and of course the year of the email so why is
course the year of the email so why is
course the year of the email so why is this well let’s look back a little bit I
this well let’s look back a little bit I
this well let’s look back a little bit I think the same reason we haven’t quite
think the same reason we haven’t quite
think the same reason we haven’t quite sorted out how to use this technology
sorted out how to use this technology
sorted out how to use this technology yet it’s the same reason why people get
yet it’s the same reason why people get
yet it’s the same reason why people get scared the horror films so it’s weird
scared the horror films so it’s weird
scared the horror films so it’s weird isn’t it we’ve had television for a long
isn’t it we’ve had television for a long
isn’t it we’ve had television for a long time we shouldn’t be scared of anything
time we shouldn’t be scared of anything
time we shouldn’t be scared of anything that comes on the TV we have to cope
that comes on the TV we have to cope
that comes on the TV we have to cope we’ve had Coronation Street for 75 years
we’ve had Coronation Street for 75 years
we’ve had Coronation Street for 75 years we ought to be used to anything yet I
we ought to be used to anything yet I
we ought to be used to anything yet I know that big fake plastic white shark
know that big fake plastic white shark
know that big fake plastic white shark isn’t gonna leap out of the screen and
isn’t gonna leap out of the screen and
isn’t gonna leap out of the screen and Maul me but I still hide behind a pillow
Maul me but I still hide behind a pillow
Maul me but I still hide behind a pillow or jump or check a glass of white oak
or jump or check a glass of white oak
or jump or check a glass of white oak for my partner and why is that why I
for my partner and why is that why I
for my partner and why is that why I mean it’s an interesting question right
mean it’s an interesting question right
mean it’s an interesting question right why is it we’ve all got TVs in the house
why is it we’ve all got TVs in the house
why is it we’ve all got TVs in the house we should be used to this by now so so
we should be used to this by now so so
we should be used to this by now so so we explore this a bit let me leap back
we explore this a bit let me leap back
we explore this a bit let me leap back in time a little bit we’re just going to
in time a little bit we’re just going to
in time a little bit we’re just going to pop back are roughly 6 million years so
pop back are roughly 6 million years so
pop back are roughly 6 million years so so on this screen here you’ve got six
so on this screen here you’ve got six
so on this screen here you’ve got six million years worth of human history and
million years worth of human history and
million years worth of human history and we’re in this bottom right hand block
we’re in this bottom right hand block
we’re in this bottom right hand block here so 60,000 blocks on the screen each
here so 60,000 blocks on the screen each
here so 60,000 blocks on the screen each one represents a hundred years of human
one represents a hundred years of human
one represents a hundred years of human history and here we all are together in
history and here we all are together in
history and here we all are together in this last one
this last one
this last one human development if you like the
human development if you like the
human development if you like the hominids development development started
hominids development development started
hominids development development started six million years ago top left-hand
six million years ago top left-hand
six million years ago top left-hand corner and time flows left to right down
corner and time flows left to right down
corner and time flows left to right down to the bottom our relationship with
to the bottom our relationship with
to the bottom our relationship with technology didn’t really begin until
technology didn’t really begin until
technology didn’t really begin until about 3.4 million years ago early
about 3.4 million years ago early
about 3.4 million years ago early evidence of hand tool use rough rocks
evidence of hand tool use rough rocks
evidence of hand tool use rough rocks sharpened rocks and animal bones did
sharpened rocks and animal bones did
sharpened rocks and animal bones did hiccup termites and roots that was
hiccup termites and roots that was
hiccup termites and roots that was pretty much it in terms of technology
pretty much it in terms of technology
pretty much it in terms of technology for at least another 1.6 1.8 million
for at least another 1.6 1.8 million
for at least another 1.6 1.8 million years or so when we started creating our
years or so when we started creating our
years or so when we started creating our own hand towards early hand axes and
own hand towards early hand axes and
own hand towards early hand axes and carrying those with us to kind of you
carrying those with us to kind of you
carrying those with us to kind of you know sort of do the same thing it’s also
know sort of do the same thing it’s also
know sort of do the same thing it’s also the first time apparently that that we
the first time apparently that that we
the first time apparently that that we sort of moved out of African continent
sort of moved out of African continent
sort of moved out of African continent and about 700,000 years ago we started
and about 700,000 years ago we started
and about 700,000 years ago we started to master fire so we could sit around in
to master fire so we could sit around in
to master fire so we could sit around in circles like this and start to
circles like this and start to
circles like this and start to communicate 400,000 years ago you know
communicate 400,000 years ago you know
communicate 400,000 years ago you know we we discovered somehow to the
we we discovered somehow to the
we we discovered somehow to the usefulness of shelters and all this time
usefulness of shelters and all this time
usefulness of shelters and all this time brains are starting to grow bigger and
brains are starting to grow bigger and
brains are starting to grow bigger and more complicated until we get to this
more complicated until we get to this
more complicated until we get to this segment down here where we all are
segment down here where we all are
segment down here where we all are modern modern human beings Homo sapiens
modern modern human beings Homo sapiens
modern modern human beings Homo sapiens us 200,000 years ago emerging out of the
us 200,000 years ago emerging out of the
us 200,000 years ago emerging out of the Great Rift Valley in what we now call
Great Rift Valley in what we now call
Great Rift Valley in what we now call Ethiopia so let’s zoom in on that each
Ethiopia so let’s zoom in on that each
Ethiopia so let’s zoom in on that each block now still represents a hundred
block now still represents a hundred
block now still represents a hundred years 2,000 blocks on the screen for
years 2,000 blocks on the screen for
years 2,000 blocks on the screen for much of that time as Homo sapiens we
much of that time as Homo sapiens we
much of that time as Homo sapiens we were still wandering around the
were still wandering around the
were still wandering around the continents foraging for food where we
continents foraging for food where we
continents foraging for food where we found it 45,000 years ago first time we
found it 45,000 years ago first time we
found it 45,000 years ago first time we kind of hit Europe and then in the last
kind of hit Europe and then in the last
kind of hit Europe and then in the last fight last 10,000 years or so we
fight last 10,000 years or so we
fight last 10,000 years or so we harnessed agriculture which means we
harnessed agriculture which means we
harnessed agriculture which means we could grow food in places other than
could grow food in places other than
could grow food in places other than where it was growing which led to
where it was growing which led to
where it was growing which led to settlements and towns and eventually
settlements and towns and eventually
settlements and towns and eventually cities in the in the sort of the last
cities in the in the sort of the last
cities in the in the sort of the last kind of five thousand years if we zoom
kind of five thousand years if we zoom
kind of five thousand years if we zoom in on those last two blocks the last
in on those last two blocks the last
in on those last two blocks the last couple of hundred years last hundred
couple of hundred years last hundred
couple of hundred years last hundred fifty years which this region’s
fifty years which this region’s
fifty years which this region’s predominately responsible for the great
predominately responsible for the great
predominately responsible for the great Industrial Revolution which really
Industrial Revolution which really
Industrial Revolution which really formed the modern world that we’re all
formed the modern world that we’re all
formed the modern world that we’re all kind of trying to get used to now
kind of trying to get used to now
kind of trying to get used to now zooming in that final hundred years the
zooming in that final hundred years the
zooming in that final hundred years the BBC broadcast its first experimental
BBC broadcast its first experimental
BBC broadcast its first experimental broadcast 95 years ago like I say
broadcast 95 years ago like I say
broadcast 95 years ago like I say Coronation Street popped out about 20
Coronation Street popped out about 20
Coronation Street popped out about 20 years later early internet in the 50s as
years later early internet in the 50s as
years later early internet in the 50s as George Dyson the science historian
George Dyson the science historian
George Dyson the science historian points out for the first five years of
points out for the first five years of
points out for the first five years of the Internet it was about five kilobytes
the Internet it was about five kilobytes
the Internet it was about five kilobytes big that’s about half the length of an
big that’s about half the length of an
big that’s about half the length of an mp3 audio after links of a half a second
mp3 audio after links of a half a second
mp3 audio after links of a half a second sorry of mp3 audio
sorry of mp3 audio
sorry of mp3 audio so think about that and they were using
so think about that and they were using
so think about that and they were using it to look at issues of nuclear fission
it to look at issues of nuclear fission
it to look at issues of nuclear fission and and planets and planetary movements
and and planets and planetary movements
and and planets and planetary movements and and explore human development so
and and explore human development so
and and explore human development so when you’re 64 gigabyte smartphone isn’t
when you’re 64 gigabyte smartphone isn’t
when you’re 64 gigabyte smartphone isn’t big enough anymore need to upgrade just
big enough anymore need to upgrade just
big enough anymore need to upgrade just think about what those guys were doing
think about what those guys were doing
think about what those guys were doing with five kilobytes back there and then
with five kilobytes back there and then
with five kilobytes back there and then Tim berners-lee kind of gave us the
Tim berners-lee kind of gave us the
Tim berners-lee kind of gave us the world wide web which is what most people
world wide web which is what most people
world wide web which is what most people a bit of the internet that most people
a bit of the internet that most people
a bit of the internet that most people call the Internet and most most people
call the Internet and most most people
call the Internet and most most people use and then in this final slither 10
use and then in this final slither 10
use and then in this final slither 10 years ago smartphones hopped out of
years ago smartphones hopped out of
years ago smartphones hopped out of popped onto the scene and that’s when
popped onto the scene and that’s when
popped onto the scene and that’s when the firehose of interruption really
the firehose of interruption really
the firehose of interruption really started just think about what you’ve
started just think about what you’ve
started just think about what you’ve seen there 60,000 blocks representing 6
seen there 60,000 blocks representing 6
seen there 60,000 blocks representing 6 million years of human history we’ve
million years of human history we’ve
million years of human history we’ve zoomed in on that last little segment in
zoomed in on that last little segment in
zoomed in on that last little segment in the in the bottom of 200,000 years of
the in the bottom of 200,000 years of
the in the bottom of 200,000 years of Homo Sapien development zoomed in on the
Homo Sapien development zoomed in on the
Homo Sapien development zoomed in on the final block at that and this little
final block at that and this little
final block at that and this little sliver has had such a massive impact on
sliver has had such a massive impact on
sliver has had such a massive impact on us so suddenly that we haven’t got used
us so suddenly that we haven’t got used
us so suddenly that we haven’t got used to it and I think that’s the same reason
to it and I think that’s the same reason
to it and I think that’s the same reason why we jump when we see a shark on the
why we jump when we see a shark on the
why we jump when we see a shark on the screen for most of human development if
screen for most of human development if
screen for most of human development if a shark was swimming toward you it
a shark was swimming toward you it
a shark was swimming toward you it really was swimming toward you if a
really was swimming toward you if a
really was swimming toward you if a tiger was running toward you it really
tiger was running toward you it really
tiger was running toward you it really was running towards you we haven’t got
was running towards you we haven’t got
was running towards you we haven’t got used to television let alone the power
used to television let alone the power
used to television let alone the power of this technology which is kind of
of this technology which is kind of
of this technology which is kind of barking orders at us all the time this
barking orders at us all the time this
barking orders at us all the time this sort of adult child relationship being
sort of adult child relationship being
sort of adult child relationship being new notification must respond must
new notification must respond must
new notification must respond must respond we haven’t quite developed the
respond we haven’t quite developed the
respond we haven’t quite developed the mental approach I think to sort of to
mental approach I think to sort of to
mental approach I think to sort of to sort of address the technology if we
sort of address the technology if we
sort of address the technology if we want to focus on something really
want to focus on something really
want to focus on something really meaningful and create if I just suggest
meaningful and create if I just suggest
meaningful and create if I just suggest we can do simple things like turn off
we can do simple things like turn off
we can do simple things like turn off those notifications focus on that one
those notifications focus on that one
those notifications focus on that one thing that you want to focus on it’ll
thing that you want to focus on it’ll
thing that you want to focus on it’ll all still be there you know it obviously
all still be there you know it obviously
all still be there you know it obviously you can always go back in it’ll all
you can always go back in it’ll all
you can always go back in it’ll all still be there so final thoughts are
still be there so final thoughts are
still be there so final thoughts are kind of leave you with more blocks
kind of leave you with more blocks
kind of leave you with more blocks before we were looking at each block is
before we were looking at each block is
before we were looking at each block is a hundred years of human history each
a hundred years of human history each
a hundred years of human history each block now is a hundred seconds eight
block now is a hundred seconds eight
block now is a hundred seconds eight hundred sixty four blocks 86,400 seconds
hundred sixty four blocks 86,400 seconds
hundred sixty four blocks 86,400 seconds that every one of you has in a day to do
that every one of you has in a day to do
that every one of you has in a day to do something meaningful and useful and self
something meaningful and useful and self
something meaningful and useful and self fulfilling with quite a chunk of those
fulfilling with quite a chunk of those
fulfilling with quite a chunk of those blocks have already taken up by sleep of
blocks have already taken up by sleep of
blocks have already taken up by sleep of course chunk more is taken up by um I
course chunk more is taken up by um I
course chunk more is taken up by um I travel and by and by hygiene factors and
travel and by and by hygiene factors and
travel and by and by hygiene factors and eating and my question is what are we
eating and my question is what are we
eating and my question is what are we going to do with the rest of that time
going to do with the rest of that time
going to do with the rest of that time the rest of our available time
the rest of our available time
the rest of our available time are we gonna fill it with this and if
are we gonna fill it with this and if
are we gonna fill it with this and if your answer is yes I like that
your answer is yes I like that
your answer is yes I like that fine knock yourselves out but be aware
fine knock yourselves out but be aware
fine knock yourselves out but be aware of it perhaps you want to carve out some
of it perhaps you want to carve out some
of it perhaps you want to carve out some of your time by turning off those
of your time by turning off those
of your time by turning off those notifications buying an old retro alarm
notifications buying an old retro alarm
notifications buying an old retro alarm clock in your bedroom to wake you up in
clock in your bedroom to wake you up in
clock in your bedroom to wake you up in the morning and leaving your phone
the morning and leaving your phone
the morning and leaving your phone downstairs on charge perhaps you want to
downstairs on charge perhaps you want to
downstairs on charge perhaps you want to carve out some of this time there’s some
carve out some of this time there’s some
carve out some of this time there’s some deep creative thought uninterrupted time
deep creative thought uninterrupted time
deep creative thought uninterrupted time to help think about some of the bigger
to help think about some of the bigger
to help think about some of the bigger problems facing civilization to work in
problems facing civilization to work in
problems facing civilization to work in an uninterrupted manner more closely
an uninterrupted manner more closely
an uninterrupted manner more closely with your team well if you went to a
with your team well if you went to a
with your team well if you went to a meeting at work and took a random
meeting at work and took a random
meeting at work and took a random stranger in who knew nothing about what
stranger in who knew nothing about what
stranger in who knew nothing about what you were talking about at work and kept
you were talking about at work and kept
you were talking about at work and kept interrupting you all the time you’d be
interrupting you all the time you’d be
interrupting you all the time you’d be fired when you oh you’d totally never be
fired when you oh you’d totally never be
fired when you oh you’d totally never be invited to any more meetings which might
invited to any more meetings which might
invited to any more meetings which might be a good outcome yeah we all do that
be a good outcome yeah we all do that
be a good outcome yeah we all do that that person is your smartphone and
that person is your smartphone and
that person is your smartphone and everybody takes one with them you might
everybody takes one with them you might
everybody takes one with them you might spend it on more creative self
spend it on more creative self
spend it on more creative self fulfilling pursues learning about
fulfilling pursues learning about
fulfilling pursues learning about science learning a new art or you might
science learning a new art or you might
science learning a new art or you might spend it to focus on relationships kind
spend it to focus on relationships kind
spend it to focus on relationships kind of uninterrupted your smartphone will
of uninterrupted your smartphone will
of uninterrupted your smartphone will continually call for your attention for
continually call for your attention for
continually call for your attention for the foreseeable future
the foreseeable future
the foreseeable future and all I want you to do I’ll invite you
and all I want you to do I’ll invite you
and all I want you to do I’ll invite you to do is just question when that happens
to do is just question when that happens
to do is just question when that happens do you want to give your attention to
do you want to give your attention to
do you want to give your attention to that particular activity or would you
that particular activity or would you
that particular activity or would you like to do something else instead and I
like to do something else instead and I
like to do something else instead and I think that’s an idea worth spreading I
think that’s an idea worth spreading I
think that’s an idea worth spreading I thank you again for your attention
thank you again for your attention
thank you again for your attention [Applause]
”
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