How The Attention Economy is Devouring Gen Z | The Ezra Klein Show

Ezra Klein interviews Kyla Scanlon about the economy Gen Z is experiencing, which lacks the predictable progress of previous generations due to factors like AI and the high cost of education. They discuss the emotional impact of this uncertainty, leading to worry and nihilism among young people. Scanlon introduces the "barbell theory" of Gen Z's economic responses: tool belt pragmatism versus speculative risk-taking. The conversation explores the divergence between economic data and Gen Z's feelings, the different subgroups within Gen Z based on their relationship with technology and the pandemic, and the potential impact of AI on the job market. They also delve into the concept of attention as infrastructure, the role of speculation, and the scarcity of truth in the digital age. The discussion touches on Trump's use of the attention economy and the importance of friction in finding meaning, ending with a reflection on the need for strategic use of attention to achieve real-world goals.