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Business. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. Economics. HTML:A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller "Newport is making a bid to be the Marie Kondo of technology: someone with an actual plan for helping you realize the digital pursuits that do, and don't, bring value to your life."�Ezra Klein, Vox Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, the bestselling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives. Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. They can get lost in a good book, a woodworking project, or a leisurely morning run. They can have fun with friends and family without the obsessive urge to document the experience. They stay informed about the news of the day, but don't feel overwhelmed by it. They don't experience "fear of missing out" because they already know which activities provide them meaning and satisfaction. Now, Newport gives us a name for this quiet movement, and makes a persuasive case for its urgency in our tech-saturated world. Common sense tips, like turning off notifications, or occasional rituals like observing a digital sabbath, don't go far enough in helping us take back control of our technological lives, and attempts to unplug completely are complicated by the demands of family, friends and work. What we need instead is a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions. Drawing on a diverse array of real-life examples, from Amish farmers to harried parents to Silicon Valley programmers, Newport identifies the common practices of digital minimalists and the ideas that underpin them. He shows how digital minimalists are rethinking their relationship to social media, rediscovering the pleasures of the offline world, and reconnecting with their inner selves through regular periods of solitude. He then shares strategies for integrating these practices into your life, starting with a thirty-day "digital declutter" process that has already helped thousands feel less overwhelmed and more in control. Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. This book shows the way.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ohernaes
Digital minimalism. Newport argues that social media, smartphones and increased connectivity through the internet are mainly distracting and have lead to an increasingly noisy world. Like e.g. slot machines, social media provide intermittent, unpredictable reinforcement when we check for updates
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and are designed to be addictive. I am largely convinced and like many have struggled to keep these technologies from interfering with both work and leisure. Newport has a good diagnosis of the problems and has many helpful practical tips. (Although it is slightly ironic that he e.g. advocates reading, which is an earlier technological innovation also breaking with evolution.) He advocates a "digital decluttering" to get rid of the distractions. Specifically, he recommends taking 30 days off most modern communication technologies, then gradually reintroducing some of them. An important point is that before doing this, it is good to fill up with high quality activities that we wish to do more of to fill the void left by modern media. This could be doing something with friends and family, reading, exercising, a hobby, etc. Many of his anecdotes about others suggest that after some time off, social media do not appear that interesting any more. A tips I am going to try is to schedule specific time for "low quality/simple tasks/leisure" such as social media, email, texting, reading blogs, etc. Another is putting your phone away to avoid temptation to check various updates. Among his other tips are setting up "conversation office hours" - fixed place and times when you talk to people and are social, walking more, starting projects for using one's hands for useful purposes, such as changing car oil, install ceiling mounted light fixture, learn something new on an instrument you know, building something from good lumber, starting a garden plot. He also claims that board games are becoming more popular. To an economist, a discipline he sometimes is critical of on the basis that it purportedly advocates jumping on anything offering any bit of benefit, it is somewhat annoying that he evidently does not know that opportunity cost, in particular of time, is an essential element of economics. Newport champions being more frugal with new technologies than I imagine being, but is clear that people need to evaluate their own needs. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member john.cooper
"Digital Minimalism" is far better than Newport's earlier "So Good They Can't Ignore You," which suffered from weak arguments and a lack of suggested actions. His point here is far more compelling—that our apps are consciously designed to compel our continual attention by playing on our deep
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instinctive need for social recognition and approval. And the second part of the book details some radical steps that he believes will work for those who have the will to implement them. I don't agree that some of these steps are effective. For example, never clicking "like" only deprives one's friends of their social approval fix; it doesn't keep them from supplying you with yours. And I read his extended rhapsody on the joys of maintaining a rural homestead (clearing falling trees, shoveling snow, etc.) with skepticism born of experience. (I used to do that, and it didn't make me any happier or more emotionally grounded. It just made me a little fitter.) Still, there's food for thought in his suggestions. Show Less
LibraryThing member thegreatape
I found the ideas here compelling without necessarily finding Newport’s arguments for them convincing. Particularly, he leans on anecdotes and quotes about historical figures that come across as just-so stories and paints technology companies as a bit more mustache-twirling villains than is
All that said: the ideas and a great many of his suggested practices resonated very strongly with my lived experience. The message of the book is at its core about finding ways to live deliberately and leverage technology with intent, rather than letting it passively soak up your time and opportunity. I'll definitely be implementing a lot of this in my daily life.
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really going on.All that said: the ideas and a great many of his suggested practices resonated very strongly with my lived experience. The message of the book is at its core about finding ways to live deliberately and leverage technology with intent, rather than letting it passively soak up your time and opportunity. I'll definitely be implementing a lot of this in my daily life.
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LibraryThing member Neale
Listened to this on audio book. Some great ideas and tips on getting out of technology to actually live a life. I never have been a big phone user which was the main thrust of the book but I am more aware of my online use of technonolgy now adn try to keep it a minimum.
LibraryThing member arewenotben
A generous 3. Not really anything here that hasn't been written before, with far too much focus on anecdotal evidence. Newport also doesn't seem to understand videogames particularly well and frequently writes from an annoyingly un-selfaware position of privilege (why not try leaving work early to
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go on a long walk?). Show Less
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
I did a version of the digital detox just a few months ago. When I upgraded my smart phone, I had the option to transfer all or some of my apps. I used that moment to evaluate each one and cut the low value offenders. Reddit was one such app. But rather than delete it from my life entirely, I told
I'm a fan of Cal Newport's two other books, So Good They Can't Ignore You and Deep Work. Digital Minimalism also shares a similar, broader theme of reclaiming focus in your life. However, this one spoke less to me than the other ones. I think it's because I've been doing variations of the digital detox for several years now and this book is mostly for the addict who needs help getting started.
Ridding yourself of what computer scientist ethicist Tristan Harris calls the "slot machine in your pocket" is increasingly becoming one of the most important public health issues of our time. We can't delete the technology entirely as our world is becoming more interconnected, but we can take action on removing its most insidious features. And we absolutely should and soon.
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myself that if I wanted to visit Reddit I would need to use my laptop. That strategy has worked surprisingly well so far. In the months since, I've noticed there's only one app I click on when I'm bored. The Google News app. And I just deleted that one too.I'm a fan of Cal Newport's two other books, So Good They Can't Ignore You and Deep Work. Digital Minimalism also shares a similar, broader theme of reclaiming focus in your life. However, this one spoke less to me than the other ones. I think it's because I've been doing variations of the digital detox for several years now and this book is mostly for the addict who needs help getting started.
Ridding yourself of what computer scientist ethicist Tristan Harris calls the "slot machine in your pocket" is increasingly becoming one of the most important public health issues of our time. We can't delete the technology entirely as our world is becoming more interconnected, but we can take action on removing its most insidious features. And we absolutely should and soon.
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LibraryThing member yadt
Newport(2019) has inspired me to
1) create a philosophy for technology use where I have written out what technology tools I use, why do i use them and when and how I will use them such as using the phone for calls & texting and delete other apps.
2) do a digital declutter where I have removed key
3) focus on high quality offline activities
4) decide specific times to engage with screen/devices
5) try to be ore comfortable without my phone by leaving it away from me.
1) create a philosophy for technology use where I have written out what technology tools I use, why do i use them and when and how I will use them such as using the phone for calls & texting and delete other apps.
2) do a digital declutter where I have removed key
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tech tools for 30 days 3) focus on high quality offline activities
4) decide specific times to engage with screen/devices
5) try to be ore comfortable without my phone by leaving it away from me.
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LibraryThing member 064
I was more or less convinced before I picked the book up that I’m wasting too much time on social media and my ability to focus is becoming fragmented. I read this to hear his solution to this issue: Ruthlessly cutting out digital tools that don’t bring you value.
I’d consider myself, in
While I generally love this, I’ve noticed that my ability to focus for long periods of time and to sit and observe without needing a distraction (my phone) has diminished significantly. This is a problem. I value my observation abilities and don’t want to lose them. I also have so many things I want to do: Blog posts to write, spoons to carve, places to explore, etc.
How much am I missing by mindlessly scrolling through my phone?
What could I be doing instead of scrolling?
How much value am I getting from the scrolling anyway?
After reading this, I decided to do a 30 day digital declutter with my friend Chris. Currently in the middle of it right now and getting a lot done!
One thing I like about Cal Newport’s books is that they are highly skimmable. Each chapter is divided into claim and evidence, and the book as a whole is divided into the problem and the solution. If you are already convinced and want the action items, skip to Part 2. If the claims seem reasonable enough, skip the evidence and go to the next chapter.
I’d consider myself, in
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Newport’s parlance, a digital maximalist. I have accounts on every major platform, am an early-adopter of new digital platforms, social networks, and tools, and evangelize tools I find useful. My always connected.While I generally love this, I’ve noticed that my ability to focus for long periods of time and to sit and observe without needing a distraction (my phone) has diminished significantly. This is a problem. I value my observation abilities and don’t want to lose them. I also have so many things I want to do: Blog posts to write, spoons to carve, places to explore, etc.
How much am I missing by mindlessly scrolling through my phone?
What could I be doing instead of scrolling?
How much value am I getting from the scrolling anyway?
After reading this, I decided to do a 30 day digital declutter with my friend Chris. Currently in the middle of it right now and getting a lot done!
One thing I like about Cal Newport’s books is that they are highly skimmable. Each chapter is divided into claim and evidence, and the book as a whole is divided into the problem and the solution. If you are already convinced and want the action items, skip to Part 2. If the claims seem reasonable enough, skip the evidence and go to the next chapter.
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LibraryThing member thewestwing
3.5 stars - overall a good book about how draining social media and mindless scrolling can be on health and happiness. Some good ideas on how to cut down on your dependence on your phone.
LibraryThing member MichaelK12345
This is a great book about approaching technology from a perspective of serving our values.
LibraryThing member Tytania
Go a month without apps and phones, then bring things back gradually to see what you really need. Use apps only for certain purposes and at certain times. He says he's not into hacks because they don't work; you need to really go without, and then go minimalist; but I don't see how his advice
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differs from hacks. I don't think I came away with any new insight. I already use apps only for targeted purposes and particular times. Oh! I did like the metaphor of Facebook and its ilk being like a slot machine - pull the lever, what will I get? How many likes, loves, comments? Cherry, cherry... mule. But that wasn't even his metaphor; someone said it on 60 Minutes. Show Less
LibraryThing member amcheri
Like a lot of people I know, I spend way too much time compulsively checking my twitter feed or my email or reddit or discord or any one of the several social book sites. I'm in twitter before I even get out of bed. And that's not setting myself up for a happy morning, to be sure.
I've been thinking
There's a lot of dry info in here but if it's something that you're genuinely interested in, the time investment is well worth it. I've already cleared off my phone AND had an actual conversation with a friend - USING MY VOICE! I know, it's a little scary but it felt pretty good.
I won't be doing the 30 day purge or anything like that, but I will be taking some of the advice and practices with me.
I've been thinking
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about how I use various sites and my phone quite a bit. Particularly since I've been adding more analog entertainment (crafting and reading with my eyeballs) into my schedule. This book found me at the right time. There's a lot of dry info in here but if it's something that you're genuinely interested in, the time investment is well worth it. I've already cleared off my phone AND had an actual conversation with a friend - USING MY VOICE! I know, it's a little scary but it felt pretty good.
I won't be doing the 30 day purge or anything like that, but I will be taking some of the advice and practices with me.
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LibraryThing member spinsterrevival
This was an interesting listen as apparently it was written maybe five plus years ago, and the amount of change in social media has made some of this book obsolete. I mean as far as I can tell he seems to be mainly FB focused, and I don’t know if Snapchat was even around then and TikTok
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definitely wasn’t. Anyway it was interesting for me mostly because I apparently have organically become a “digital minimalist” just by not wanting to deal with most of it while also valuing my solitude to a ridiculous degree. I wonder if the author cares to revisit it considering all the changes that have taken place, and maybe he can do some sort of follow up research with his group who initially changed their ways (i.e. where are they now?). Show Less
LibraryThing member jbaty
I enjoyed it. Cal has never had a social media account. Counter-intuitively, this gives him a clear perspective of the cost/benefit balance offered by social networks. He offers a number of actionable ways to reduce and clarify how we interact with devices and other people.
ISBN
0525536515 / 9780525536512