Attention as means differs fundamentally from attention as end in itself

Evidence

‘Paying’ attention to something or to someone is always understood in terms of a certain external purpose – gaining something, avoiding a danger, helping another. The attention that we ‘pay’ is a means that is dissolved in the end to which it is assigned – implying that you have wasted your time and effort if, despite the attention paid, the hopedfor return does not materialize. ‘Being’ attentive [‘faire’ attention], on the other hand, implies the practice of an activity that constitutes its own end (like doing sport or playing music [faire du sport ou faire de la musique]). The attentional effort carries its own benefit with it: in the increase in our ability to be attentive – which now appears as a good in itself. — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 484

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharply distinguishes instrumental ‘paying’ attention from self-rewarding ‘being’ attentive.
• XREF: connects to: Attention is fundamentally alienated because it is always directed at something else. — Yves Citton, The Ecology of Attention, 509