"When before in human history has so humanity collectively surrendered so much of its leisure to one toy, one mass diversion?" How would you answer the rhetorical question?

Question

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I'm thinking the answer is never.

Answer 1

Technology. We use the internet as a mass diversion.

Answer 2

To which toy is the author referring?

Answer 3

He is referring to television or phones so i would think the answer would be that there was never a time in history where one object has gotten so much attention