I think you can pay attention to an individual and also pay attention to other things. If someone makes you feel loved, it can even help you to feel like yourself and be able to focus properly.
is this a self centered post ? or are you reffering to a public figure like the president or celebrity.
Well, if we're perpetually focused on war and lies, it certainly takes away from the quest for peace and truth.
I suppose if you're just talking to one person, then it's probably off other things...unless you're talking about other things with them. Or if you're thinking about a person...then you're not thinking about other things? (?!?)
so called conservatives often focus on discrediting individuals as a means of opposing otherwise sensible observations.