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ajaykumar__27's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing" by Pete Davis is like a friendly reminder to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Davis skillfully navigates the challenges of modern life, offering practical advice on how to cultivate commitment and purpose in an age of endless distractions.
Through relatable anecdotes and actionable tips, Davis encourages readers to prioritize meaningful connections and pursuits over mindless scrolling. "Dedicated" serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring us to embrace dedication and live more intentionally.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the constant noise of modern life, "Dedicated" offers a refreshing perspective and guidance on how to find clarity and fulfillment amidst the chaos.
sensitive_book_lover31's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A very eye-opening book which values commitment and the long-haul heroes over infinite browsing and keeping your options open. It has inspired me to be more committed to things in my life, something I have been struggling with for a long time. Commitment is all about the depth of experience rather than the breadth.
"At its core, much of commitment is about taking control of our time. Death controls the length of our days, but we control the depth of our days. Commitment is about choosing to pursue, in the face of our limited length, boundless depth."
"Your partner isn't going to be like a new computer, with detailed specifications...Let go of all that and just let your heart figure it out."
"You can see the paradox of choice...in more significant situations too. When I was in college, I was friends with the Mormons on campus. Devout Mormons often feel called to date only fellow Mormons, which meant my friends were choosing from about 30 people in the area instead of thousands like the rest of us. I thought at first that they must feel limited by this, but was surprised to learn that most didn't. Instead, they processed dating differently than their secular friends did. They weren't looking for the absolute perfect match...they tended to give each other more of a chance, avoiding 'the grass is always greener' trap. They reasoned that relationships mostly work because of a couple's commitment to each other and a few shared values."
"At its core, much of commitment is about taking control of our time. Death controls the length of our days, but we control the depth of our days. Commitment is about choosing to pursue, in the face of our limited length, boundless depth."
"Your partner isn't going to be like a new computer, with detailed specifications...Let go of all that and just let your heart figure it out."
"You can see the paradox of choice...in more significant situations too. When I was in college, I was friends with the Mormons on campus. Devout Mormons often feel called to date only fellow Mormons, which meant my friends were choosing from about 30 people in the area instead of thousands like the rest of us. I thought at first that they must feel limited by this, but was surprised to learn that most didn't. Instead, they processed dating differently than their secular friends did. They weren't looking for the absolute perfect match...they tended to give each other more of a chance, avoiding 'the grass is always greener' trap. They reasoned that relationships mostly work because of a couple's commitment to each other and a few shared values."
snow_phie's review against another edition
2.0
[Audiobook] Dedicated was an odd audiobook experience, at times compelling and surprising but overall mostly frustrating.
I do agree with the overall message - that in a culture of infinite options, we increasingly find ourselves in situations where we don't have to or want to choose, which can lead to dissatisfaction and pointless attempts to seek constant novelty.
That message alone was the main value for me, prompting a personal reflection on dedication - to what or whom am I committing to in my life and why? There are few passages on social media too (grand posturing, immediate reactions, seen as an end in itself), which resonated. And I enjoyed hearing about social change stories and the activists behind them.
My problems with the book:
1) It wants to be a book about social change, but does so through an individualist lens which fails to grasp any of the complex dynamics behind change, beyond an individual's ability to dedicate or commit.
2) It claims that the culture of infinite choices is the mainstream culture vs dedication as a "counter culture" but offers little evidence for it. In fact the examples he uses throughout the book makes a strong case for a dedication culture very much well and alive. E.g. People still marry and have children, people do continue to learn and hone their crafts, activists are fighting causes for years on end.
3) It's trying sooo hard to be a "counter culture", to pitch itself as the underdog and to rebrand things that already exists to fit this narrative. The rebranding is quite cringe - long haul heroes, dedication as patriotic, activists as reformers, entrepreneurs as builders. I eye rolled a lot.
4) He makes the case for committing to things - relationships, jobs- because that will make you a long haul hero and the depth you get from commitment will be so very rewarding. At no point does he factor in the reasons why more options benefit so many groups who aren't white middle class men. Not everyone can or wants to commit to a job in workplaces where racism, sexism and ableism are rife. Where there are no structures in place allowing for childcare. Not everyone wants to commit to marriage and children when the vast majority of women still do the bulk of the care work and take a pay cut over their lifetime. You can't make a case for dedication with acknowledging that doing so isn't possible or beneficial to a large number of people who are systematically disadvantaged.
In a nutshell: sure the book has some interesting elements. But it tries so so hard to be about social change and movement building without having any of the experience or understanding of what it takes beyond "dedication".
I do agree with the overall message - that in a culture of infinite options, we increasingly find ourselves in situations where we don't have to or want to choose, which can lead to dissatisfaction and pointless attempts to seek constant novelty.
That message alone was the main value for me, prompting a personal reflection on dedication - to what or whom am I committing to in my life and why? There are few passages on social media too (grand posturing, immediate reactions, seen as an end in itself), which resonated. And I enjoyed hearing about social change stories and the activists behind them.
My problems with the book:
1) It wants to be a book about social change, but does so through an individualist lens which fails to grasp any of the complex dynamics behind change, beyond an individual's ability to dedicate or commit.
2) It claims that the culture of infinite choices is the mainstream culture vs dedication as a "counter culture" but offers little evidence for it. In fact the examples he uses throughout the book makes a strong case for a dedication culture very much well and alive. E.g. People still marry and have children, people do continue to learn and hone their crafts, activists are fighting causes for years on end.
3) It's trying sooo hard to be a "counter culture", to pitch itself as the underdog and to rebrand things that already exists to fit this narrative. The rebranding is quite cringe - long haul heroes, dedication as patriotic, activists as reformers, entrepreneurs as builders. I eye rolled a lot.
4) He makes the case for committing to things - relationships, jobs- because that will make you a long haul hero and the depth you get from commitment will be so very rewarding. At no point does he factor in the reasons why more options benefit so many groups who aren't white middle class men. Not everyone can or wants to commit to a job in workplaces where racism, sexism and ableism are rife. Where there are no structures in place allowing for childcare. Not everyone wants to commit to marriage and children when the vast majority of women still do the bulk of the care work and take a pay cut over their lifetime. You can't make a case for dedication with acknowledging that doing so isn't possible or beneficial to a large number of people who are systematically disadvantaged.
In a nutshell: sure the book has some interesting elements. But it tries so so hard to be about social change and movement building without having any of the experience or understanding of what it takes beyond "dedication".
mashedpotaylorz's review against another edition
4.5
He lost me at some parts, and it’s not as academic as I was hoping, but it helped me put words to a lot of feelings I’ve had.
obnorthrup's review against another edition
2.0
Was really hoping for more depth to the argument and less repetition. I think this could have been a really nice presentation or a couple of articles.
toddgrotenhuis's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced