How to Do Nothing
Look at all those stickies! How can a book with this title, in a field I have been reading and thinking about for twenty years, contain so much new information and perspective? Jenny Odell is amazing.
Incidentally, it’s not about “quitting Facebook.” It’s about everything.
I suspect I’ll write a review of this book for the forthcoming Issue 16.
About Robert Wringham
Robert Wringham is the editor of New Escapologist. He also writes books and articles. Read more at wringham.co.uk
Yes, I loved this book too! I’m getting a bit cautious over books like this as I think, like you, that I’ve come across a lot of the information or I’ll find an ‘inpirational’ self-help book with little of practical advice in. I revisited an issue of a magazine called Offscreen (recommended, if you can find a copy) which she was interviewed in, and borrowed the book off the back of that. She’s created a good combination of setting out the malady, and then prescribing the cure.
Same here. She describes it as “an activist book disguised as a self-help book,” which is about right and explains why it was hiding to me. I remember it coming out and I ignored it based on the title because I’ve read so much (perfectly good) stuff along those lines. Thanks to friend Marcus for putting me onto it. I have much to say about it, but I’ll save it for the review. Thanks for the recommendation of Offscreen: looks great (and I immediately spot the Odell cover!)