The Big Picture: When Policy Lags, Entrepreneurs Step In

TechCrunch recently covered Andrew Yang’s latest venture, a mobile service that pays people to use their phones less. This is the same entrepreneur who ran for president on a platform warning about automation and AI hollowing out jobs. Now he is building a practical tool to fight the “attention economy” rather than waiting for government to act.

The significance is clear: when policy stalls, market-driven solutions rush in. Yang’s move shows that addressing big societal problems — like digital distraction and the concentration of wealth — doesn’t have to start in Washington. It can start with a simple business model that rewards better habits.

Why the Attention Economy Matters for Business

The “attention economy” is the battle for your time and focus. Every app, notification, and algorithm is designed to keep you hooked. For a business, this creates a double-edged sword: you want customers’ attention, but you also need your own team to stay focused and productive.

Yang’s approach flips the script. Instead of extracting attention, his startup pays users to reclaim it. This is a shift from “how do we get more screen time?” to “how do we make screen time more intentional?” Businesses that ignore this shift risk burning out their employees and alienating customers who are tired of being manipulated.

What This Means for Australian SMBs

Australian small and mid-sized businesses face the same attention traps as anyone else. A distracted workforce costs money — lost time, lower quality work, and increased stress. At the same time, SMBs often rely on digital tools to compete with larger players, which can make screen addiction worse.

The deeper lesson is about trust. Customers are becoming more aware of how their data and attention are used. A local café, tradie, or accounting firm that respects its clients’ time — and its own team’s focus — builds loyalty. Yang’s model suggests that paying people for their attention, rather than stealing it, could be a winning long-term strategy.

What You Can Do Now

  • Audit your digital tools. List every app, platform, or notification your business uses. Ask: is this helping or hurting focus? Cut anything that doesn’t directly support your core work.
  • Set clear screen-time policies. Encourage staff to use “do not disturb” modes during deep work blocks. Offer small incentives for completing tasks without constant phone checks.
  • Invest in focus-friendly tech. Look for software that limits distractions, like website blockers or single