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jendilemma's review
5.0
I can't overstate how important this book is. It's definitely academic and can get dry at times but I'm really glad I pushed through it because there are so many important and moving ideas in here - especially about context, the privilege of 'dropping out' of society/social media, our relationship to the world around us, etc.
simonmartin's review
4.0
minus one star for the audiobook not pronouncing walter benjamin’s name as ‘ben-ya-meen’
(i am the worst)
(i am the worst)
samantha1960's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
It’s been a while since I tore through a non-fiction book as fast as I did this one. Jenny Odell is a fantastic writer and her background as a professor shines through her work and her excellent use of examples. I thought this book might be along the lines of self help but it is far greater then that.
As Odell puts it…
“That's because the pitfalls of the attention economy can't just be avoided by logging off and refusing the influence of persuasive design techniques, they also emerge at the intersection of issues of public space, environmental politics, class, and race”.
In this book she illustrates this concept with ease.
Highly recommend the read.
As Odell puts it…
“That's because the pitfalls of the attention economy can't just be avoided by logging off and refusing the influence of persuasive design techniques, they also emerge at the intersection of issues of public space, environmental politics, class, and race”.
In this book she illustrates this concept with ease.
Highly recommend the read.
moonbeam4's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
It’s dense and uses big words ( thanks Kindle for the easy tap dictionary) but it put a lot of pieces together for why I feel a certain way and helped me see a path forward
tjphutton's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Had a wee cry on finishing reading. How To Do Nothing felt like a major milestone in a journey I've been on for some time, a feeling I've only felt this powerfully with one other book. I expect it will do a fair amount of shaping how I live the rest of my life.
cobraforhire's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
It’s a good book BUT if you talk about a bunch of cool looking birds you really ought to include pictures of them.
calicolavender's review
5.0
I listened to this book as an Audiobook after beginning to read it myself, and it was a joy in each form. This is a great read for those who are interested in anti-capitalism and wary of social media, but need a bit of guidance in understanding the pitfalls and grays of the digital revolution. I hope those who are misguided about art, activism and other social issues stumble upon this book, because it offers a blunt, no sugar explanation about these topics in the most reasonable way possible. Truly my strong recommendations go towards Jenny’s work and thoughts presented here.