Department of the Attention Economy
Department of the Attention Economy
Department of the Attention Economy is a division of government presidential hopeful Andrew Yang is proposing to examine the role that media, data and technology play 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 Yang proposes that we rethink the way people interact with smartphones, 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 have smartphones while 22% of young children, 60% of tweens, and 84% of teenagers currently use a smartphone. These numbers are accompanied by a swelling surge in anxiety, depression and suicide. [1][2]
Wider Range Of Policies
The Department of the Attention Economy is only one aspect of larger sweeping policies introduced on Andrew Yang's campaign website under the section "REGULATING TECHNOLOGY FIRMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY". Yang wants to acknowledge data as a property right, essentially allowing individuals to own their data and participate in the economic value that it generates. Yang wants to reduce the amount of disinformation that spreads via social media by using a VAT on digital ads to drive business away from ad-driven profitablity models. He also wants to create a Digital Bill of Rights with clear rules about how data should be collected and used. [3][4]
Yang wants to amend the Communications Decency Act to make large tech companies responsible for what is published on their platforms. Yang also wants to assist companies in detecting bots and developing algorithms that minimize the spread of of false information. He even suggests that algorithms that are related to poltics or how news travels should be open source, or confidentially disclosed to the Department of the Attention Economy.[4]
Yang has stated that he will reimplement an Office of Technology Assessment and establish a Department of Technology. He would also set regulatory framework for owning and trading cryptocurrencies, such as definitively stating whether a token is an asset or security and setting standards for the tax implications that come with digital asset s. He would also regulate video game mechanisms that encourage gambling such as "lootboxes."[4]