Let’s Survive This Attention Economy

In a world where every notification, pop-up, and viral meme is fighting to dominate your mental space, surviving the attention economy feels like dodging bullets in a digital battlefield. You’re not just a consumer anymore - you’re the product being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

The modern world demands that you not only hold your ground but also weaponize your quirks to rise above the noise. Let’s dive into some absurdly wacky strategies to outmaneuver the chaos.

Be Unapologetically Weird

The attention economy thrives on novelty, and nothing screams “notice me” like leaning into your strangest habits. So it's as if the more bizarre, the better. People love what they can’t immediately categorize, so make it impossible for anyone to look away. You don’t need to fit in when standing out is so much more fun.

• Wear something outrageously memorable every single day. Bright yellow pants paired with a sequined top isn’t overkill—it’s survival. The next time someone takes a selfie with you in the background, you’re stealing the show. Soon, you’ll be the person people look for in every group photo.
• Create a signature move or gesture that makes people stop and laugh. Think finger guns at every greeting or an exaggerated hair flip after every compliment. The key is making others mimic you without realizing it. Once they do, you’ve officially entered their psyche.
• Say the most unexpected things during casual conversations. If someone mentions the weather, casually reply, “Perfect day for inventing a new type of pasta.” Confusion ensures you’re unforgettable. People will come back to you just to hear what ridiculous thing you’ll say next.

Monetizing weirdness is straightforward. You’ll attract brands wanting to align with your distinct image, open doors to sponsorships, and even sell merchandise featuring your eccentric catchphrases or signature look. Being a walking spectacle is bankable when paired with an online presence.

Weaponize Absurd Content

Forget polished perfection; chaos reigns supreme. In the attention economy, it’s the messy, jaw-dropping stuff that goes viral. Ditch any notion of seriousness and lean fully into absurdity. The more random and unexpected your content is, the more people will cling to it.

• Start a fake petition for something completely useless. Campaign for “Mandatory Nap Time for Office Workers” and watch the internet rally behind your nonsense. People love a cause they don’t have to take seriously. Once it gains traction, you’re officially part of the zeitgeist.
• Film yourself doing the most mundane tasks in a ridiculous way. Wear formal wear while vacuuming or juggle oranges while brushing your teeth. Absurdity transforms everyday life into viral gold. Don’t underestimate the charm of being a little unhinged.
• Invent a fake character and post as them online. Create “Dave the Daring Avocado Farmer” who shares daily life advice based on fruit metaphors. People will stick around just to see what’s next. The more committed you are to the role, the more fascinated they’ll be.

Absurd content pulls in followers, and followers mean money. Platforms pay for viral engagement, while brands line up to collaborate with creators who command unpredictable attention. You can also monetize with paid shoutouts or exclusive access to your wildest ideas.

Break All the Rules (Loudly)

The attention economy thrives on the predictable - so flip the script. Breaking conventions gets people talking, and talkers bring the eyeballs. If everyone else is whispering, you need to scream. No one ever gained attention by playing it safe.

• Write emails or messages in haikus. Force everyone to engage with your content differently. “Meeting at twelve sharp / Bring the bagels and coffee / We’ll make magic here.” Suddenly, the mundane becomes intriguing.
• Ditch traditional social media norms and post complete nonsense. Upload a selfie with a caption like, “I’m only here because my goldfish’s diary said I should.” People won’t scroll past that. They’ll stop and try to figure out what’s happening.
• Throw an event where the theme is total chaos. Host a “Backwards Dinner Party” where dessert comes first, and everyone wears clothes inside out. Photos of this will live on forever. Chaos is your best publicity strategy.

Breaking rules captivates visitomers who crave originality. You’ll drive traffic to platforms, sell event tickets, or secure book deals as the person who redefines “normal.” Daring to be different opens countless revenue streams.

Exploit People’s Love for Conspiracies

Nothing grabs attention faster than a juicy mystery. Play into the internet’s insatiable appetite for wild theories and hidden meanings. The trick is to create something that’s impossible to ignore. People love solving puzzles, even if the solution doesn’t exist.

• Start a rumor that you’re part of a secret organization. Post cryptic messages like, “They’re watching again. The owl knows.” People will dig into your posts for clues. The more obscure, the better.
• Plant bizarre Easter eggs in everything you share. Use a random pineapple emoji in every post without explanation. Soon, people will start dissecting your content like it’s the Da Vinci Code. Let their speculation do the work for you.
• Write a fake expose about your own life. “The Truth About My Double Life as a Goat Whisperer” will have everyone clicking, even if it’s 100% nonsense. The more elaborate the lie, the more attention you’ll grab.

Conspiracy-themed antics create endless monetization opportunities through ads, merchandise featuring inside jokes, or Patreon subscriptions for “exclusive” secrets. Turn curiosity into cash by charging for the “truth.”

Turn Boredom Into Spectacle

The internet loves to watch people make something extraordinary out of nothing. Use your downtime to create moments that demand attention. You don’t need fancy props or expensive ideas—just a little creativity.

• Start a live stream where you watch paint dry—literally. Add commentary as if it’s the most thrilling event of the year. Bonus points if you wear a tuxedo while doing it. Boredom has never looked so entertaining.
• Host a “Choose My Next Snack” poll every hour. Dramatically announce the results and overreact to each bite. People will tune in just to watch the ridiculous theatrics. Make even the dullest moments entertaining.
• Turn waiting in line into a performance. Bring a mini speaker and dance to elevator music while in a queue. Someone will record it, and suddenly you’re the star of the week. Spontaneity turns the mundane into a showstopper.

Spectacle draws crowds, and crowds translate into cash. Monetize through live-stream ads, merchandise inspired by your antics, or partnerships with brands wanting to tap into your quirky energy.

Make Enemies with Robots

People love rooting for humans against technology. Turning your everyday tech struggles into a public drama guarantees attention and relatability. Tech frustrations are universal, and your dramatized battles will resonate.

• Post about your imaginary feud with autocorrect. Share screenshots of absurd autocorrect fails and blame it for sabotaging your life. The more over-the-top your complaints, the better. Everyone has a shared hatred for autocorrect.
• Create a series where you argue with your smart speaker. Ask Alexa philosophical questions and react with mock outrage when she doesn’t answer correctly. Everyone loves watching someone win against the machine. It’s man versus tech in the most entertaining way.
• Pretend you’re locked in a battle with captcha tests. Post screenshots of increasingly bizarre captchas and declare them your mortal enemy. People will join your “struggle” and laugh along the way.

Tech-related humor attracts sponsorships from companies hoping to leverage relatability. Turn your tech battles into viral content that sells ad space, collaborations, or even comedic products mocking the struggle.

Confuse, Delight, Repeat

The best way to survive the attention economy is to leave people wondering what they just saw. Keep them guessing, and they’ll keep coming back. Confusion, when done right, is its own art form.

• Change your profile picture every day to something ridiculous. Today, it’s a llama in sunglasses. Tomorrow, it’s a toaster with googly eyes. People will keep checking in to see what’s next.
• Randomly insert unrelated but hilarious phrases into your posts. Write a heartfelt message but end it with, “And remember, never trust a pigeon in a bowtie.” The absurdity will hook them. They’ll scroll back just to check if they read it correctly.
• Announce fake milestones for no reason. “Today marks the 7th anniversary of the first time I successfully flipped a pancake. Thanks for your support.” Everyone loves nonsense with commitment.

Confusion attracts clicks, clicks drive engagement, and engagement creates cash. Monetize your unpredictable antics with ad revenue, brand deals, or exclusive memberships for fans who want to see more.

Use Food as an Attention Magnet

Food has universal appeal, but you can make it unforgettable by doing things no one else dares. Think of it as combining culinary delight with chaos. People will flock to watch you create edible masterpieces—or edible disasters.

• Cook completely wrong on purpose. Fry ice cubes or bake a pizza upside down, then narrate it as if you’re a master chef. The ridiculousness makes it irresistible. You’ll have people laughing, gasping, and sharing your chaos.
• Turn eating into a dramatic event. Eat spaghetti with chopsticks or try eating soup with a fork while maintaining a straight face. Add commentary about the “artistic struggle” of your choices.
• Host fake cooking tutorials with absurd ingredients. Teach people how to make “Chocolate Garlic Lasagna” while pretending it’s a family recipe. The more convincingly you present it, the more attention you’ll get.

Food-related antics can quickly lead to monetization through cooking channel sponsorships, branded partnerships with quirky food companies, or merchandise featuring your most ridiculous recipes. Everyone loves a food icon who doesn’t take it too seriously.