Department of the Attention Economy
Department of the Attention Economy
Department of the Attention Economyis a division ofgovernmentpresidential hopefulAndrew Yangis proposing to examine the role thatmedia, data andtechnologyplay in the lives of American citizens.[1]
Overview
The Department of the Attention Economy is a proposal to identify and address pain points in humanity’s transition into a digital society.
Andrew Yangproposes that we rethink the way people interact withsmartphones,social media, gaming, chat apps and other relatively new forms of digital immersion. Yang told George Stephanopoulos:[2]
“The data clearly shows, that in addition to the problems with our democracy because people are getting their information through social media, we’re also seeing a huge surge in depression, anxiety and emotional issues, particularly in boys and girls”
The Department of the Attention Economy will not only raise awareness of the challenges presented by digital immersion, but they aim to create a standard design philosophy for the industry to reduce the negative impact these technologies can have on children and young adults.
Andrew Yang‘s campaign cites various statistics that support the need for such a department. Studies show that over 70% of adults havesmartphoneswhile 22% of young children, 60% of tweens, and 84% of teenagers currently use asmartphone. These numbers are accompanied by a swelling surge inanxiety,depressionandsuicide.[1][2]
Wider Range Of Policies
The Department of the Attention Economy represents just one facet of a broader set of policies outlined on Andrew Yang’s campaign website, notably under the section titled “REGULATING TECHNOLOGY FIRMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.” Yang advocates for recognizing data as a property right, enabling individuals to own their data and partake in the economic benefits it generates. To combat the spread of disinformation on social media, he proposes implementing a VAT on digital ads to deter businesses from relying solely on ad-driven profitability models. Additionally, he aims to establish a Digital Bill of Rights with clear guidelines on data collection and usage.[3][4]
Yang’s initiatives extend to amending the Communications Decency Act to hold large tech companies accountable for content published on their platforms. He also seeks to aid companies in identifying bots and developing algorithms to mitigate the dissemination of false information. Furthermore, Yang suggests that algorithms pertaining to politics or the dissemination of news should either be open source or disclosed confidentially to the Department of the Attention Economy.[4]
In addition, Yang pledges to reinstate the Office of Technology Assessment and create a Department of Technology. He proposes regulatory frameworks for the ownership and trading of cryptocurrencies, clarifying whether tokens are assets or securities and establishing standards for the associated tax implications. Furthermore, he plans to regulate video game mechanics that promote gambling, such as “lootboxes.”