This is concerning. If elections become only about 'the vibe' rather than about policies, we're in trouble.
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'“Without a formal set of institutions to force public attention on a topic, no basic rules for who will speak when and who will listen, the need for attention becomes exclusive; it swallows debate, it swallows persuasion, it swallows discourse whole,” Hayes argues.

'More than half the voters say they are paying little or no attention to the upcoming election. Those paying the least attention are those who are least likely to have settled on their vote.

'To spell it out: the election will be decided by the people paying the least attention and with the lowest commitment to their ultimate choice. They will cast their ballot while viewing politics out of the corner of their eye.'

Albanese is fighting an election in the attention economy. The deciding votes will come from those least engaged https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2025/mar/04/australian-federal-election-updates-albanese-dutton

#auspol