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Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport, 3 Stars
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Interesting...very interesting! I should give this book to few people I know for the holiday gift-giving season. I understand about not always having my phone next to you! Just not at the top of my priority list. If it's that important, leave a message! However, I do take it when I leave the house(mainly due to medical issues, both with me and my husband)-but that doesn't mean I will always answer!
How would one check in on the book swap if you didn’t have your phone with you all the time? LOL
@ Joanne, Our purses are so heavy now with our smart/dumb phones. I know that it is safer to take a phone with you in case of an emergency, but I often forget.... I hope your friends like the book!@ Amy, You are so right! You'd miss out on the action! ;o)
There is defiantly some irony of posting a review of this book in PBT. haha. Just playing.I am really intrigued by this book but discouraged by the 3 stars.
I do think there's merit to cutting back on social media use, but I always bristle a bit at the real friends/online friends distinction because I find there's a lot of blur there, especially as someone who married a guy she met online. I have online friends who go back a decade+ who are closer than some of the people I know in real life, and honestly, the biggest barrier to them being offline friends is geography.
@Jason, I share your humor and see the irony. :0) I gave the book only 3 stars, because I found long stretches of it to be dry reading.@Hebah, Thank you for commenting. There is a real distinction between on-line relationships which are superficial only and that of real friendships which can happen on-line. I hope I'm expressing this right.
I should read this and try to adopt some of the points the author makes! I am shamefully a person whose phone is ALWAYS in her hand. Always. Part of it is because I used to have a job that required it and not it is because I do a lot of texting. I should text less and be more productive at my job. lol
@Nicole, Today I did take my phone with me to an important doctor's visit for my 96 year old father. During the visit, I found myself fielding calls from: my brother in Boston, my sister here in town and my Dad's primary care doctor( not the one he was seeing). My head was buzzing... On most days, I can get away without having a phone with me. It's less stressful for me.
I do not necessarily find it stressful, I actually find it more stressful not to have it with me! That is because of my own personal history though. My family has been struck by several tragedies and I always worry about not being in contact with my family even though I know it is unreasonable!My bigger issue is just that I find myself distracted by my phone more than anything. I need to be better about at least not having it out on my desk at work. lol.
Nicole, just wanted to let you know that I read your reply. I understand about wanting to be in contact with and reachable by your family.
More fascinating to me were his examples of historical figures. Abraham Lincoln spent time away from the White House so that he could think privately without constant interruptions about the pressing problems of the Civil War. Henry David Thoreau valued both his solitude and having intellectual companionship with his peers. Contrary to common belief, Walden Pond was not far away from their homes. Benjamin Franklin was outgoing. He formed various social organizations, such as a reading/discussion group called Junto and a volunteer firefighting company. With these men as examples, the author was able to illustrate our needs for both time spent alone and time spent genuinely with other people.
The book is a good addition to others which raise concerns about the role tech plays in our lives.
Personal Note: I'm used to being chastised for not taking my phone with me when I leave the house, by my family. This author recommends it. How refreshing!