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Malte

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Malte is Currently Reading

Malte is currently reading

The Obscene Bird of Night

by José Donoso

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Jan 05, 2026 08:12AM

Malte is currently reading

Berlin Alexanderplatz

by Alfred Döblin

bookshelves: read-next, currently-reading

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Dec 15, 2025 12:11PM

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How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy

by Jenny Odell (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: technology, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2019

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Malte said: " I wasn't sure what to thing of this book initially. Large sections of it are about birdwatching, which is not an activity I have any particular interest in. However, it's now been three weeks since I read How to Do Nothing and I still think about it I wasn't sure what to thing of this book initially. Large sections of it are about birdwatching, which is not an activity I have any particular interest in. However, it's now been three weeks since I read How to Do Nothing and I still think about it regularly.

One thing I find extremely compelling about this book is Jenny Odell's pathalogisatian of the Attention Economy. Her description of Twitter hits especially close to home for me:

Scrolling through the feed, I can’t help but wonder: What am I supposed to think of all this? How am I supposed to think of all this? I imagine different parts of my brain lighting up in a pattern that doesn’t make sense, that forecloses any possible understanding. Many things in there seem important, but the sum total is nonsense, and it produces not understanding but a dull and stupefying dread.

I feel like this a lot recently. Numbed by the digital channels I use, but also frustrated at my lack of ability to effectively limit my engagement with them.

On the surface, the solution How to Do Nothing then offers is similar to the central argument in Cal Newport's Deep Work: Withdrawing attention from the hyper connectivity of the modern web will improve one's life.

However, where Newport argues for a refocus of attention to achieve higher standards of productivity, Jenny Odell makes the point that withdrawing attention is primarily essential to reclaim space for non-productive activities. She argues for finding refuge in the physical reality of our world – be it in birdwatching or spending time with friends. To find spaces for thought, care, reflection that she sees as diminished by the Attention Economy.

This is the central theme of How to Do Nothing and I find it increasingly convincing. The negative effects of the Attention Economy – increasing rates of depression, smartphone addiction, context collapse – are now well documented. This book offers a philosophical perspective on the potential benefits of a (temporary) withdrawal of attention that I welcome and that has influenced how I think about my relationship with the digital ecosystem. ...more "

Sep 25, 2019 08:23AM · see review

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