Revenge of the Attention Economy: Why Moments Matter More Than Ever

From highlight reels to headlines, culture is shifting—and healthcare marketing needs to keep up. In this episode we get into why the moment is overtaking the message. We unpack the Meta tell-all Careless People, dissect the rapid-fire chaos of tech and policy updates (hello, Policy ICU), and explore how fan fiction, fantasy leagues, and even SNL are reshaping engagement in real time. Plus, we break down what it all means for brands trying to show up authentically in the age of short attention spans and hot takes. Ready to rethink your media mix? Tune in now.

Big Ideas, Bite-Sized Attention: Why Moments Matter More Than Ever

In this episode of The No Normal Show, we’re chatting about all the things! There’s a cultural truth marketers can’t ignore: we’re living in the age of moments—and long-form content might be the next thing to get left behind.
From Meta’s messy downfall to basketball games no one’s actually watching, Desirée, Stephanie, and Chris break down how cultural consumption is shifting—and what healthcare marketers need to do to keep up.

Policy ICU

BPD launched Policy ICU, a real-time dashboard that tracks fast-moving healthcare policy shifts—and what they mean for hospital marketers. If staying ahead of CMS changes, executive orders, and funding cuts is your job, this tool is your new best friend. To learn more, email us at nonormal@bpdhealthcare.com

Meta Gets Messy: A Cautionary Tale

The team kicks things off with a hot take on Careless People, the explosive whistleblower book about Meta’s inner chaos. Think of it as “Lean Out” as it exposes not just Mark Zuckerberg’s alleged erratic leadership style, but also the hypocrisy and unchecked ambition that defined Facebook’s rise.
Why does it matter for healthcare marketers? Because Meta still dominates ad spend—and trust is everything in both marketing and healthcare. If a platform is built on shaky ethics, what does that mean for brands relying on it to connect with patients and communities?

AI, Living Intelligence, and the Panic of Progress

The team also digs into Amy Webb’s 2025 Emerging Tech Trends Report, revealed at SXSW. It’s 1,000+ slides of synthetic biology, predictive behaviors, and living intelligence—and yes, it’s as overwhelming as it sounds.
But here’s the key: change is no longer coming. It’s here, it’s relentless, and it’s happening in minutes, not months. Brands need to be fast, culturally fluent, and ready to act.

The Shift to Highlights: Moments Are the New Movement

If you skipped the game but watched the dunk on Instagram, you’re not alone.
Today’s audiences—especially younger ones—aren’t tuning into the thing anymore; they’re tuning into the highlight of the thing. The team unpacks a killer article from The Ringer about how even sports are being consumed as snippets, not spectacles.
It’s not just sports. It’s TV. It’s news. It’s your brand. The shift from full experiences to short-form engagement is redefining how content is consumed—and shared. We’ve entered what Stephanie calls the “revenge of the attention economy” where the goal isn’t to be watched, it’s to be meme’d, clipped, shared, and captioned.

In a world rewired for distraction, brands that win will be the ones who master the art of the moment—without losing the message. Need help showing up in the now without selling out your strategy? Contact our team at nonormal@bpdhealthcare.com and let’s build something that matters.

Read this episode’s transcript