How the Attention Economy Is Devouring Gen Z — and the Rest of Us

Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani are both proof of how the ability to capture attention is power. And the attention economy isn’t reshaping just politics; it’s also reshaping the actual economy: the crypto market, A.I. venture capital, and how people, especially Gen Z, are making career decisions. Kyla Scanlon has emerged as a leading theorist on the economics of attention and is herself a member of Gen Z. She is the author of the book “ In This Economy? ” and Kyla’s Newsletter on Substack. I asked her on the show to walk us through her theory of the attention economy. This episode contains strong language. Mentioned: “ Gen Z and the End of Predictable Progress ” by Kyla Scanlon “ ‘We Are the Most Rejected Generation’ ” by David Brooks “ A Divided Gen Z Is Crying for Mercy ” by Rachel Janfaza “ The Price of Nails Since 1695 ” by Daniel E. Sichel Give People Money by Annie Lowrey “ The World of Wrestling ” by Roland Barthes “ Peter Thiel and the Antichrist ” by Interesting Times with Ross Douthat Book Recommendations: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@ny…