ms_jennyd's review against another edition
4.0
Refreshing, empowering, and stoic are some of the first words that come to mind after reading this book. I’m already implementing some of the practices and thinking critically about what digital philosophy I want to have to guide how I use my phone and social media. I used Libby to borrow it from the library, but I think this will be one that I buy a physical copy of for reference. I love the mix of research, experience, philosophy, and practical application.
This would have been 5 stars but I found the book structure awkward and the transitions clunky which impacted the reading experience for me. Also, I don’t usually make a note of it, but at some point it became noticeable to me and I found myself wondering if he really was just only going to reference men. Some women do show up eventually, but he could have tried a little harder to avoid predominantly focusing on men in his research and case studies.
Overall I found this book very valuable and would highly recommend if you’re feeling exhausted, don’t know where your time goes, and literal dust has built up on the things you find joy in.
This would have been 5 stars but I found the book structure awkward and the transitions clunky which impacted the reading experience for me. Also, I don’t usually make a note of it, but at some point it became noticeable to me and I found myself wondering if he really was just only going to reference men. Some women do show up eventually, but he could have tried a little harder to avoid predominantly focusing on men in his research and case studies.
Overall I found this book very valuable and would highly recommend if you’re feeling exhausted, don’t know where your time goes, and literal dust has built up on the things you find joy in.
mandler_'s review against another edition
3.0
Newport makes some great points in this text. I'm always wary of books like this as there are studies that show that social media can be helpful in certain contexts. I really appreciated that Newport acknowledged those studies and those references, while also adding that it is important to consider how and why we are using modern technologies.
I do not believe that technologies are bad, however, as Newport points out, it's all about the deliberate and intentional act of using them that is important. Too much of a good thing is still bad. Great work by Newport and I have added a few things in my own life from this book.
- Spend time alone to gain solitude
- Leave your phone at home
- Take long walks
- Write letters to yourself
- seek leisure activities with real world, structured social interactions
Essentially, make technology work for us to facilitate a more balanced, fuller life instead of the other way around.
I do not believe that technologies are bad, however, as Newport points out, it's all about the deliberate and intentional act of using them that is important. Too much of a good thing is still bad. Great work by Newport and I have added a few things in my own life from this book.
- Spend time alone to gain solitude
- Leave your phone at home
- Take long walks
- Write letters to yourself
- seek leisure activities with real world, structured social interactions
Essentially, make technology work for us to facilitate a more balanced, fuller life instead of the other way around.
nasty_pancake's review against another edition
5.0
Changed my views on how I use technology and gave actionable tips. Highly recommend.
susie_strawberry's review against another edition
4.0
Really cringe of me to admit I have read this. Several sections are a bit heavy handed with the whole "Aristotle says..." thing, but it is v effective in helping you understand how the phone gives you brain worms, which is the whole point I guess
yecatherine's review against another edition
2.0
I have so much respect for Cal Newport, and his earlier work “Deep Work” has dramatically improved my professional ethics.
Yet this book…I couldn’t even power through 100 pages. Maybe it gets good at the end, but the part that I’ve read could and should have been a blog post.
I expected to see more academic research and less anecdotical evidence. Plus, I have already implemented some of the practical advice given in the book after I’ve read the Deep Work. I use distraction blockers on my computer, put my phone away when I’m working / before bed, have limits on social media apps and delete them during the work week.
Some of the advice given was banal, other felt too extreme. The argument for digital minimalism philosophy felt hazy and unconvincing.
Yet this book…I couldn’t even power through 100 pages. Maybe it gets good at the end, but the part that I’ve read could and should have been a blog post.
I expected to see more academic research and less anecdotical evidence. Plus, I have already implemented some of the practical advice given in the book after I’ve read the Deep Work. I use distraction blockers on my computer, put my phone away when I’m working / before bed, have limits on social media apps and delete them during the work week.
Some of the advice given was banal, other felt too extreme. The argument for digital minimalism philosophy felt hazy and unconvincing.
nebula1600's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
It is eye-opening regarding how much time we waste on social media and electronics in general. Some excellent and unique tips/habits on using your digital time more wisely and disconnecting from the digital world.
sristy's review against another edition
3.0
The book in itself it not bad. It is well researched and contains a lot of ideas that will make your bulb go bright.
For me personally though, there was not much new ideas. Whatever he has discussed, I already follow it in one form or other. Yet there were some new ideas that will definitely be put into practise.
All in all, a good book for someone who has the constant complain of “oh I want to do so much but I just don’t have the time.”
For me personally though, there was not much new ideas. Whatever he has discussed, I already follow it in one form or other. Yet there were some new ideas that will definitely be put into practise.
All in all, a good book for someone who has the constant complain of “oh I want to do so much but I just don’t have the time.”