The Pollution of Advertising

There will always be too much to do, no matter what you do. But the ironic upside of this seemingly dispiriting fact is that you needn’t beat yourself up for failing to do it all… Instead, you can pour your finite time, energy and attention into a handful of things that truly count. You’ll enjoy things more, into the bargain.

The article debunks “multitasking.” It’s a figment of society’s tormented hive-mind. Focus. Do one thing at a time, it adjures.

What’s this? A hyper-groomed gnome smirks from the screen, creepily avuncular, repulsively unctuous. It’s an ad for an investment house. No way this simulacrum of a male life-form is real: AI-generated then; a digital confection. Press the button to LEARN MORE.

No. I’m focusing on this article that says: … The way to get more tasks done is to learn to let most of them wait while you focus on one.

There’s the gnome again.

Advertising is the locomotive of consumer capitalism running rampant and unchecked, of course.

And again. Press the button…

Ads are a soul-sucking drip of raw sewage fouling every channel of communication.

Last chance to LEARN MORE.

And, in their insidious way, ads work. I really liked this article’s message, but what am I writing about? The gnome.

(Oliver Burkeman, “Stop Multitasking. No, Really — Just Stop It,” New York Times, 7-29-23)

(c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
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8 Responses to The Pollution of Advertising

  1. christinenovalarue's avatar christinenovalarue says:

    🖤

    Liked by 1 person

  2. And now I have the gnome in my head

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’ve never understood what’s desirable about multitasking. What makes us happy is being in the here and now. And if we manage to be good in this state of here and now, it fills us with additional joy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • JMN's avatar JMN says:

      Well said. According to the article, not distracting ourselves while doing tasks we dislike is harder than it looks. I confess I listen to podcasts while washing dishes, for example. The article says I would enjoy washing dishes more by doing it without distraction!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. WWW.EFINO.BUSINESS.BLOG's avatar EFINO says:

    Good work. Will support

    Liked by 1 person

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