Coming through Wellington airport a couple of weeks back, I was struck once again by the convention of having to walk through a duty-free shop to get to the plane.

There are lots of shops that we walk past, but somehow the duty-free shops have stitched it up so everyone literally has to walk through them. Someone – the airport – has sold my attention to the duty-free shop.

Then the airline has sold my attention to some advertisers by putting ads before the movies that they show.

I think it’s worth placing a premium on your attention. There is a limited amount of information you can take in, and only a small number of things that can get your attention. So I’m conscious of when other people are trying to make the choice for me of what gets my attention.

I’m also very grateful when people give me their attention. I appreciate the time and attention you’re taking now to read this.