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zuomiriam's review against another edition
5.0
Whenever I read one of Newport's books, I get ridiculously inspired to optimize my life by becoming more intentional with how I work/make decisions/use technology. This book specifies the process for a month-long digital declutter to assess the impact of "optional technologies", and I'm looking forwards to implementing it in my own life.
lorenzadlung's review against another edition
3.0
Very encouraging to rethink the way I use digital devices. Sometimes, the arguments appear to be a bit one-sided, forgetting about the fact that we are very privileged in our access to technology.
megankphelps's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely life-changing book! Since re-reading this, I have freed up hours of time and tons of energy per day by removing (most) screen time. I didn't realize how much screen time was the orientation of my time, including getting in the way of my social life and hobbies. I'm excited to do a full 30-day "digital detox" and continuing to expand and deepen my high-quality leisure activites.
I also really enjoyed Cal Newport's insightful review of the "attention economy." For example, he talks about a newspaper agency in the 1800s that changed the game by selling advertisement spots whose value depended on readership. Prior to this, newspapers were motivated to engage readers through quality stories--now, newspapers were motivated to get as many readers as possible through flashy, sensationalized news. In other words, the advertisers were now the customer and the readers the product. In modern times, I do not want to be the "product" that social media companies sell to make money.
Real life is so much richer than the screen (typing this behind a screen oops)!
I also really enjoyed Cal Newport's insightful review of the "attention economy." For example, he talks about a newspaper agency in the 1800s that changed the game by selling advertisement spots whose value depended on readership. Prior to this, newspapers were motivated to engage readers through quality stories--now, newspapers were motivated to get as many readers as possible through flashy, sensationalized news. In other words, the advertisers were now the customer and the readers the product. In modern times, I do not want to be the "product" that social media companies sell to make money.
Real life is so much richer than the screen (typing this behind a screen oops)!
ransomoney's review
This book was very preachy and kept going on about my soul. Not was I was looking for