In 'How to Do Nothing', Jenny Odell challenges the relentless hustle culture and advocates for the art of disengagement as a radical form of resistance. Through captivating narratives and rich observations, she reveals how true productivity lies in our ability to simply be present and appreciate our surroundings. Odell explores the significance of community, nature, and creative idleness, encouraging readers to reclaim their time from the demands of constantly being connected. This thought-provoking book invites us to reflect on what it means to truly live rather than just exist in a system that glorifies busyness. Prepare to discover the profound impact of stepping back and embracing the beauty of nothingness.
By Jenny Odell
Published: 2019
"To reclaim our attention is to appreciate the world as it is, rather than how it is represented to us through a screen."
** A New York Times Bestseller ** NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY: Time • The New Yorker • NPR • GQ • Elle • Vulture • Fortune • Boing Boing • The Irish Times • The New York Public Library • The Brooklyn Public Library "A complex, smart and ambitious book that at first reads like a self-help manual, then blossoms into a wide-ranging political manifesto."—Jonah Engel Bromwich, The New York Times Book Review One of President Barack Obama's "Favorite Books of 2019" Porchlight's Personal Development & Human Behavior Book of the Year In a world where addictive technology is designed to buy and sell our attention, and our value is determined by our 24/7 data productivity, it can seem impossible to escape. But in this inspiring field guide to dropping out of the attention economy, artist and critic Jenny Odell shows us how we can still win back our lives. Odell sees our attention as the most precious—and overdrawn—resource we have. And we must actively and continuously choose how we use it. We might not spend it on things that capitalism has deemed important … but once we can start paying a new kind of attention, she writes, we can undertake bolder forms of political action, reimagine humankind’s role in the environment, and arrive at more meaningful understandings of happiness and progress. Far from the simple anti-technology screed, or the back-to-nature meditation we read so often, How to do Nothing is an action plan for thinking outside of capitalist narratives of efficiency and techno-determinism. Provocative, timely, and utterly persuasive, this book will change how you see your place in our world.
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“To reclaim our attention is to appreciate the world as it is, rather than how it is represented to us through a screen.”
How to Do Nothing
By Jenny Odell
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Jenny Odell is an acclaimed American author, artist, and educator, known for her thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between technology, nature, and society. She gained prominence with her book 'How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy,' which advocates for disengaging from digital distractions to cultivate a deeper awareness of the world around us. Odell’s writing style is characterized by a contemplative and reflective tone, weaving together personal narratives with broader cultural critiques. In addition to her essays and lectures, she is also recognized for her art installations that challenge conventional perceptions of public space and attention.
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