Pledge Drive for Attention

Laura Allcorn with Gloria Mark and Sci Curious

What are your biggest digital distractions?

It’s time to steal your attention back from a distracting world. Imagine a future where our brains aren’t being mindlessly warped by attention stealing schemes. The tech masterminds may want us clicking, scrolling and swiping – but why not put your own interests above their profit interests today? Say bye bye to brain rot and collectively break free from digital distractions. Exponential attention growth is possible! Find a pledge buddy, take a seat at a pledge desk and make a pledge in the world’s first Pledge Drive for Attention.

Help us meet our goal to steal back one year of our attention! How many hours can you give to the Pledge-O-Meter?

BIOGRAPHIES

Laura Allcorn (USA) is an artist and founder of the Institute For Comedic Inquiry. Her collaborations with researchers explore how emerging technologies shape us and society. Laura’s projects revolve around a comedic premise designed for audience participation. Striking scenography immerses audiences in a speculative, satirical world and invites them to rehearse for the future they want.

Gloria Mark (USA) is Chancellor’s Professor Emerita at the University of California, Irvine. For over two decades she has researched the impact of digital media on people's lives: our distractions, attention, multitasking and stress. Her recent book is Attention Span, about our dwindling attention in the digital age, chosen by The Globe and Mail as the #1 Best Business book of 2023.

Science Gallery Melbourne's Sci Curious is a group of young and curious people who act as an advisory group for the Gallery, helping to inform and shape the future of our exhibitions and programs, and keeping young voices front and centre.

Technical Design of Pledge-O-Meter by James Paul.

Videography by Maree Prokos.

Pledge Drive Host played by Hazel Pigrum.

With special thanks to the following Pledge Makers: Anastasia Beasley, Chris Bennett, Eliza Borgeest, Melinda Brook, Janeca Cabanayan, Audrey Callanan, Anahatt Chhina, Jemima Christie, Qian Mo (Rita) Cui, Ruby Foster-Swain, Lucinda Gibson, Marcela Gómez Escudero, Imogen Hair, Fatima Kidwai, Claire Price, Chloe Woo.