Company vs. Attention

The concepts of company and attention often get confused or lumped together. Though they are similar, they are also quite different.

Attention is active. People are looking at you; they're engaging you. Conversations and arguments, playing games, or just having other people paying attention while you perform, these are examples of attention.

Company, on the other hand, is passive. The heart of company is sharing space and time together. Two people can read different books in the same room at the same time and it would be company. So could watching a movie together. So would doing nothing while cuddling.

The embodiment of these two concepts are introverts and extroverts. Extroverts need attention. They are the life of the party, the entertainer on stage, the master of ceremonies. Introverts do not usually want to be alone, but they want the company of another person who matters to them. Even when doing separate things, they are together, and it is a comfort to them.

Attention usually needs company, and company can involve attention, but they are not the same. Treat them distinctively.