Who doesn't thrive on attention? Ascetics maybe or the deeply antisocial? You don't have to be childlike to thrive on attention, it is just childlike to demand attention. To act out to attract attention is childlike. Maybe this attention economy is childlike, I don't know. I am pretty sure I respond to posts here on Medium mostly to get attention, some of my responses might even be considered acting out.

I really think I am being helpful but......

TEK