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A review by robosquid
The Art of Noticing: Rediscover What Really Matters to You by Rob Walker
4.0
The premise of this book is that we are all too distracted by modern life (especially technology - mobile phones, etc) that we become de-sensitised to what matters. We are conditioned to plough through meaningless lists of tasks and activities set by others, and not seeing or doing what is important to ourselves. "Do you want to look back on a life of items crossed off lists drawn up in response to the demands of others?" is a sentiment that will hit home for most of us.
The book goes on to describe and suggest 131 activities that will help regain the lost art of noticing. Some are frivolous, some are amusing and a few are a bit daft - for example if I stared at an item in a department store for 5 minutes I think security would be hovering nearby! Others are quite clever and 'do-able': Find the numbers 1-100, in order, when out and about. Deconstruct things, even adverts, and think about how they came into being (both socially and physically). Look upwards - it's often surprising what's above eye-level. Think - how would a child see / describe this? View everyday objects from different angles. Take an unfamiliar route. Stand still and make a list of all the things you hear.
There were many interesting things I learnt about or highlighted - the artist Oakoak for example - I spent ages looking at online pictures of his (often hilarious) street art.
The downside to this book is it's rather American / city based and uses museums as source material for quite a few of the activities, although I suppose any public space would do.
The book was a fun yet thought-provoking read and I will definitely engage in some of the less demanding activities.
The book goes on to describe and suggest 131 activities that will help regain the lost art of noticing. Some are frivolous, some are amusing and a few are a bit daft - for example if I stared at an item in a department store for 5 minutes I think security would be hovering nearby! Others are quite clever and 'do-able': Find the numbers 1-100, in order, when out and about. Deconstruct things, even adverts, and think about how they came into being (both socially and physically). Look upwards - it's often surprising what's above eye-level. Think - how would a child see / describe this? View everyday objects from different angles. Take an unfamiliar route. Stand still and make a list of all the things you hear.
There were many interesting things I learnt about or highlighted - the artist Oakoak for example - I spent ages looking at online pictures of his (often hilarious) street art.
The downside to this book is it's rather American / city based and uses museums as source material for quite a few of the activities, although I suppose any public space would do.
The book was a fun yet thought-provoking read and I will definitely engage in some of the less demanding activities.