Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by emilyinherhead
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
I don’t even know where to start with this book. As the title suggests, it’s all about why we can’t pay close attention or think deeply anymore, but in researching and discussing this topic, Johann Hari covers so many other subjects as well. For example: the myth of multitasking, the importance of giving children autonomy in play and learning, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and what the change in nutrition is doing to our brains and bodies, the science of getting enough sleep, the link between the psychologist B.F. Skinner and the business model of most social media apps, the role of flow states in cultivating happiness and satisfaction… and that list was just what I could remember off the top of my head. The way it all links together is truly astounding.
This book gave me so much to think about and so many ideas for future reading rabbit holes to follow (do not miss the endnotes and bibliographical information)! It’s part of the same conversation as works like How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell, Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi, The Wander Society by Keri Smith, and How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price, all of which I also recommend.
If you’re at all experiencing a tendency to get distracted, a feeling of disgust toward social media, a sense of helplessness in the face of unceasing news and information, or an occasional desire to throw your phone into the nearest body of water, read this book. It’s mind-blowing and timely and it quite literally might change your life.
This book gave me so much to think about and so many ideas for future reading rabbit holes to follow (do not miss the endnotes and bibliographical information)! It’s part of the same conversation as works like How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell, Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi, The Wander Society by Keri Smith, and How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price, all of which I also recommend.
If you’re at all experiencing a tendency to get distracted, a feeling of disgust toward social media, a sense of helplessness in the face of unceasing news and information, or an occasional desire to throw your phone into the nearest body of water, read this book. It’s mind-blowing and timely and it quite literally might change your life.