23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
The Attention Vortex

This photo serves as a visual allegory for contemporary digital culture in China. It captures how "traffic" (online attention) manifests as a physical vortex. The live-streamers, at the epicenter, perform vigorously to sustain its gravitational pull, while the surrounding crowd forms dense rings, akin to matter drawn in by an invisible force. Yet, a poignant contrast emerges between this central frenzy and the palpable indifference on the faces of some onlookers. This juxtaposition reveals the exhaustion and transience inherent in the attention economy, metaphorizing the sense of alienation that can persist within a hyper-connected society. The entire scene resembles a microcosm, vividly dramatizing the relentless carnival and struggle for virtual recognition playing out in public space.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Shenzhen, China
Camera: ILCE-7C
Copyright: © yudong zhang