In this article, Amishi Jha, a Neuroscientist, explains how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected our brain’s attention. Jha uses the four words volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) to describe how high-stress and high-demand scenarios can rapidly degrade our attention. She focused the study on people who experience VUCA conditions as part of their jobs, such as soldiers, firefighters, and organizational leaders. The article also investigates the vulnerabilities of the attention system, explains the forces that degrade and weaken attention, and recommends ways to protect and strengthen attention. What Degrades and Weakens Attention?
Jha described ten ways in which our brain reacts to uncertain times. She begins by saying that attention creates reality in that it helps solve the brain’s biggest problems. Secondly, she says that attention is vulnerable to stress threat and poor mood. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate at which attention is degraded as it jacks up attention’s kryptonite. Thirdly, our attention, just like our working memory, is limited. The fourth thing that Amishi Jha focuses on is that our attention often wanders. This explains why people are experiencing uncertainty-related stress during this pandemic. Fifthly, our attention is linked to our emotions. We all need attention to regulate emotions as they come along. Attention is necessary for connection, can time-travel, is easily fooled, can be a bad boss, and is trainable.
The article’s purpose, audience, and rhetorical situation
Amishi Jha wrote this article primarily to enlighten readers on how high-stress and high-demand scenarios can degrade our attention. Besides, she focused on educating her readers on the powers and the vulnerabilities of our attention system. Additionally, Amishi exponded on the factors that degrade and weakens it, and how they can protect their attention. For instance, she says that our attention is powerful and determines the moment-to-moment experiences of our lives. Similarly, she says that most people are spending most of their limited attention resources to train their minds on overcoming behaviors and habits. APA Style