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A review by jrc2011
Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self by Manoush Zomorodi
4.0
I've enjoyed Manoush Zomorodi as a radio host - she's a skillful interviewer who brings good questions, well researched topics and informative guests to her programs. I listened to this book as an audio book - and found it to be a bit of a mix of blog posts, interviews and articles about her program to help people take control over their digital. habits.
In 2015, well before iPhone included information about user habits, the journalist/author Zomorodi noticed that something was missing from her life: boredom. She started tracking her usage of games and other apps, talked to other people and started a challenge (self-selected). She shares a lot of information and feedback from the participants in her challenge which is illuminating and interesting. Zomorodi also shares information about her own challenges - and perspectives.
Personally - I don't believe boredom exists. Boredom is what we call doing something that doesn't interest us, not being present, and not feeling in control of our time. If you accept or choose something - like sitting through a church service that doesn't interest you or heavy traffic - that makes it a different situation than being "bored."
Self-awareness is a beautiful thing - we should all strive for it every day. Instead of mindlessly snacking -- literally and metaphorically -- we should be able to take a break whether it's from digital games, alcohol/sugary snacks, or disagreeing with people we think are wrong (who cares? everyone has an opinion).
Some of the sections of the audio book were interviews (ie, between the author and the game creator). The other main components of the book were essays or blog postings about neuroscience and sections with details about her challenge.
As a whole - it's an enjoyable audio book, I'm glad I listened to it rather than reading it since it is narrated by Zomorodi and includes the voices of folks she interviewed. It was like a collection of personable, enjoyable, informative and friendly podcasts. Highly recommend the audio book.
In 2015, well before iPhone included information about user habits, the journalist/author Zomorodi noticed that something was missing from her life: boredom. She started tracking her usage of games and other apps, talked to other people and started a challenge (self-selected). She shares a lot of information and feedback from the participants in her challenge which is illuminating and interesting. Zomorodi also shares information about her own challenges - and perspectives.
Personally - I don't believe boredom exists. Boredom is what we call doing something that doesn't interest us, not being present, and not feeling in control of our time. If you accept or choose something - like sitting through a church service that doesn't interest you or heavy traffic - that makes it a different situation than being "bored."
Self-awareness is a beautiful thing - we should all strive for it every day. Instead of mindlessly snacking -- literally and metaphorically -- we should be able to take a break whether it's from digital games, alcohol/sugary snacks, or disagreeing with people we think are wrong (who cares? everyone has an opinion).
Some of the sections of the audio book were interviews (ie, between the author and the game creator). The other main components of the book were essays or blog postings about neuroscience and sections with details about her challenge.
As a whole - it's an enjoyable audio book, I'm glad I listened to it rather than reading it since it is narrated by Zomorodi and includes the voices of folks she interviewed. It was like a collection of personable, enjoyable, informative and friendly podcasts. Highly recommend the audio book.