you have "to be paying / to pay" attention

[sitifan]

1. If you are going to learn anything, you have to be paying attention. (Positive Pyschology, by Dr. Agyajit Singh)
2. If you are going to learn anything, you have to pay attention.
What's the difference in meaning between the above sentences?

 

[tedmc]

No. 1 using the continuous tense gives a sense of immediacy which No. 2 doesn't.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't say there's definitely a difference in meaning, but there is clearly a difference in style.

(To learn you have to listen. - me.)

 

[jutfrank]

No. 1 using the continuous tense gives a sense of immediacy.

Yes, well put.

The continuous version puts the reader right there in the moment, where his required attention is current and continued.

The lack of aspect in sentence 2 could mean that the attention paying is future rather than present.