In today's age of information overload, critical thinking alone is not enough to navigate the vast sea of content that bombards us every day. We need to develop the skill of "critical ignoring" in order to regain control of our attention and protect ourselves from the traps and misinformation of the attention economy. The platforms that control search and social media were designed to capture our attention and sell it to the highest bidder. Our attention has become a precious and limited resource, and it's time to take it back.

In today's age of information overload, critical thinking alone is not enough to navigate the vast sea of content that bombards us every day. We need to develop the skill of "critical ignoring" in order to regain control of our attention and protect ourselves from the traps and misinformation of the attention economy. The platforms that control search and social media were designed to capture our attention and sell it to the highest bidder. Our attention has become a precious and limited resource, and it's time to take it back.

One of the reasons why critical thinking alone is insufficient is the sheer amount of information available to us. The digital world contains more information than all the libraries in the world combined. This abundance of information often comes from unvetted sources and lacks reliable indicators of trustworthiness. Investing our critical thinking in sources that should have been ignored in the first place only serves to give attention merchants and malicious actors exactly what they want – our attention.

So, what is critical ignoring, and how can we practice it in the face of information overabundance? Critical ignoring is the ability to choose what to ignore and where to invest our limited attentional capacities. It goes beyond simply not paying attention; it involves mindful and healthy habits that protect us from the excesses of the attention economy.

There are three main strategies for practicing critical ignoring. The first is self-nudging, which empowers individuals to be "choice architects" of their own informational environments. By consciously designing our online spaces in ways that work best for us, we can create boundaries and constraints that prevent us from getting sucked into the never-ending scroll of social media feeds or the rabbit hole of clickbait articles. Self-nudging allows us to take back control and make intentional choices about where we direct our attention.

The second strategy is lateral reading. This technique involves emulating the methods used by professional fact-checkers to establish the credibility of online information. Instead of getting entangled in the design and reports of a website, fact-checkers practice critical ignoring by reading laterally. They look for external sources and cross-reference information to determine its accuracy and reliability. This skill of lateral reading should be taught in schools to equip individuals with the tools they need to navigate the vast landscape of information online.

The third strategy is the "do-not-feed-the-trolls" heuristic. This approach specifically targets online trolls and other malicious users who engage in cyberbullying and antisocial behavior. Navigating this strategy successfully requires new competencies that should also be taught in schools. By not engaging with trolls and refusing to give them the attention they crave, we can protect ourselves from their negative influence and maintain a healthier online environment.

Incorporating these strategies into our daily lives can help us master the art of critical ignoring. As the philosopher and psychologist William James observed over a century ago, "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to ignore." By consciously choosing what to ignore and where to invest our attention, we can reclaim our autonomy and shield ourselves from the information disorders that plague our modern world.

In conclusion, while critical thinking is an essential skill, it is not enough to combat the information overload we face today. To truly regain control of our attention, we must also develop the skill of critical ignoring. By practicing self-nudging, lateral reading, and the do-not-feed-the-trolls heuristic, we can navigate the attention economy more effectively and protect ourselves from the traps of misinformation and excessive content. Let us remember that authority should derive naturally from merit, and we should focus on proving our points through our own work rather than relying on the authority of others. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape, let us embrace the art of critical ignoring and reclaim our power over our attention.