Captivology: A Book on the Science of Capturing People’s Attention

The former editor of Mashable, cofounder of Octane AI, and co-host of Business Envy examines the psychological phenomena that captivate our attention — and how we can leverage them to draw and retain attention for our ideas, work, companies, and more.

Whether you’re an artist or a salesperson, a teacher or an engineer, a marketer or a parent — putting the spotlight on your ideas, insights, projects and products requires a deep understanding of the science of attention.

In Captivology, award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Ben Parr explains how and why the mind pays attention to some events or people — and not others — and presents seven captivation triggers — techniques guaranteed to help you capture and retain the attention of friends, colleagues, customers, fans, and even strangers.

Parr combines the latest research on attention with interviews with more than fifty scientists and visionaries — Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, film director Steven Soderbergh, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, magician Jon Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author Susan Cain, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian, and more — who have successfully brought their ideas, projects, companies, and products to the forefront of cultural consciousness.

The result is an insightful and practical book that will change how you assign jobs to your kids or staff, craft a multi-million dollar ad campaign, deliver your next presentation, attract users to your product, or convince the world to support your cause.

Buy Captivology from Your Favorite Bookstore:

Select Praise for Captivology

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“Throughout the book, Parr keeps readers engaged, amused and focused, proving that the science of Captivology works.”

— Success Magazine

“Parr gets it: To succeed in a world where attention is scarce, captivating audiences at every level is a skill that everyone needs. Captivology will show you how to capture other people’s attention, whether you are teacher, entrepreneur, musician, or simply a dreamer with a big idea.”

— Adam Braun, New York Times bestselling author of The Promise of a Pencil
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“The Internet has made it easier to communicate but also more challenging to be heard. Ben Parr’s Captivology applies recent discoveries in psychology and neuroscience to the attention economy so that anyone can rise over the crowd and stand out.”

— Craig Newmark, founder, Craigslist

“Filled with useful tips, practical advice and case studies, Captivology is a book everyone in the attention business should buy. (By the way, that’s YOU. Every. One. Of. Us.)”

— Sree Sreenivasan, former Chief Digital Officer, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and professor of digital media, Columbia Journalism School

A Note From the Author

Ben Parr talking about Captivology on MSNBC

Attention is the fundamental currency and lifeblood of the modern economy. Teachers can’t get anything done without the attention of their students. Charities can’t survive without the attention of donors. Entrepreneurs need the attention of users and customers.

That’s why I wrote Captivology: to help everybody capture attention for their passions, projects and ideas. This book will teach you the real science behind attention and how that utilize that knowledge effectively for whatever you’re passionate about. That’s why I analyzed more than 1,000 research studies and interviewed dozens of researchers and thought leaders to uncover the science of attention.

I firmly believe Captivology can change the world for the better. I hope you’ll take a chance and read my book.

~ Ben Parr, Author of Captivology