- Registration 9:00 A.M
- Matins 9:15 AM
- Session 1 – 10:00 to 11:30 AM
- Break 1 – 15 mins
- Session 2 – 11:45 to 1:15 PM
- Lunch – 1:15 to 2:15 PM
- Session 3 – 2:15 to 3:45 PM ( includes Q and A )
- Vespers/Compline – 3:45 to 4:15 PM
Email Subject Line # Limits of Attention. #PAX Attending
Abstract: The world is saturated with an overwhelming amount of information, and since our cognitive abilities are limited, we must selectively focus on a subset of this information. This means that what we attend to shapes our understanding of reality and that those who control the flow of information and our attention
can influence our worldview. With the widespread availability of media—including social platforms, video streaming services, video games, educational material, news outlets, and governmental messaging forums—we face increasing opportunities for worldview manipulation. In our discussion, we will explore the limitations of attention and the principles of worldview subversion.
We will begin with a description of the basic attentional processes in visual perception and then apply these concepts to better understand information and attention control by social media platforms, entertainment sources, news outlets, mainstream education, and government.
Throughout the conversation, we will reflect on what scripture teaches about how we should engage with the information around us and how we can prevent the unholy subversion of our worldview.
Presenter Bio :Dr. Daniel Smilek is a Professor of Psychology who specializes in cognitive neuroscience. His research focuses on understanding human attention and how attention can be optimized in everyday life. He has published over 180 peer-reviewed research articles along with an undergraduate textbook on cognitive psychology. His research has been published in top scientific journals (e.g., Nature), and according to Google Scholar, his work has been cited over 20,000 times. Dr. Smilek is member of Grace Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ontario.
