Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
Published by Penguin Random House Audio
Narrated by Will Damron
4.5/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
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 audiobook, the best-selling 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 30-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 audiobook shows the way.
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Reviews for Digital Minimalism
378 ratings39 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5great book, opened my eyes about my use of electronics and digital technology, and how i can manage it better to live a happier life
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Was a bit dry but made me think of WHY apps seems to draw you into a endless waste of time and what to do about it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Extremely revealing and informative. This illuminates the way social media, smart phones, and screens in general impact your mental health and well being. This book does more than just reveal these things to you, it gives you steps and recommendations to combat these effects in your life, giving you more control over your technological use. Great read! I’ll be returning to it soon.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is such a revelation! My eyes are now wide open!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very good although if you are familiar with the topic you will not find that much new about it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply a must for someone who struggles to keep his or her digital presence in check. Newport presents his case with clarity and offers practical implementations of his ideas, so that the abstract becomes concrete. I quite enjoyed the narration as well.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It was definitely food for thought. Very challenging. Great book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book helped me gain a deeper understanding of why it was that I felt the need to distance myself frommy social media and helped me take final steps towards consciously choosing which social media services I would like to use and how, and which ones I'd rather let go. As someone born in '97, I have never known adult life without Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. It was only when I went on a social media detox this summer that I understood how much time these apps take away from me and how I could use this time more efficiently. Thanks to this book, I now have some helpful examples of digital minimalism strategies that will hopefully help me live a fuller life with technology aiding it instead of distracting me from it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing book, it changed how I think of the social media and how I address their role in my life... Totally worth reading
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Having already read a lot on Newport's opinion about social media, I thought this book would have been a bit repetitive, but it's very interesting in every chapter
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I wasn't sure if I would find anything new to think about by reading this book, but it turned out to be well worth it. This book is full of good arguments advocating for dramatically cutting back on digital technology so that it better supports your values. It was good to hear them because tech can have a way of seeming inherently good, which previously led me to minimize the real harms Netflix, YouTube, and news feeds were having on my life, for example.
To me, the biggest benefit I obtained from this book was the knowledge that there is a growing movent to resist the ubiquitous pull of digital media giants, and that I'm not alone in my struggles. It sort of legitimizes taking more drastic measures without feeling like I'm crazy. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eye opening. Helped me with my phone addiction First time I've finished a book in ages because I am not distracted by Instagram.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Perfect book for our day and age. I'll be implementing Cal's advice.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great instrument to get rid of unuseful habits. The audio version excellent
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great info! Well written and clear instructions on how to become a digital minimalist.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent book, especially for those of us whose work includes being in and making decisions in the world of social media.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A great overview of the issues with technology at the moment, a philosophy to address these issues and highly practical steps to implement or adapt. One of the best aspects of the book is how Cal point's out that what is right for one person may not be right for you and how you have to work out how to apply these ideas to use technology in an intentional and meaningful way for your life.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Enjoyable at many points. Some very good ideas and a bit of maybe redundant analysis. Generally a good read!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I appreciate the irony of listening to this book on an iPhone, but it was very good. It offers insight as to how to deal with the addictive tendencies one might have with technology, but it is not a Luddite manifesto. Instead, Newport makes the argument that one ought to be intentional about one’s use of technology. If one takes that lesson from the book, one might free up time, a considerable amount of time, they can be put more productive use and more enjoyable use.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eye opening! I love that Cal Newport doesn’t tell you that you have to follow certain rules in regards to your technology use. Instead, he offers anecdotes and explanations of ways to structure your own screen time in the most high value, low distraction way possible.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cal Newport remains providing insightful and relevant information for todays day to day life
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I have not read another book that has changed my life as much as this one. Incredibly insightful and eye opening. It was well written overall with simple tips to get out of the habit of being hooked onto social media. I have been recommending this book to everybody I know.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great audio book, went through various lengths on different discussions and topics on minimalism including ways to become more tech minimalist. I would recommend this book and would also read or listen to it again 5 stars.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essential reading for anyone who thinks. Gratitude to the author in spades.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eye opener. Beginning is hard to follow, but about 1/2 way thru it becomes interesting as he gives examples of others whom have used this similar method, and the way it helped his or her in everyday life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brilliant as always
This book could actually change the way you operate every day and save you 3-4 hours - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book really helped clarify my thinking about technology use. Extremely helpful!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book challenged me and has made me think deeply about the ways I have allowed the smart phone to change my life. Some ways have been beneficial and others detrimental. I will now be more intentional about how/what/and when I use my device. I am undergoing transformation.....
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Yet another practical and relevant book for anyone interested in making big changes in lifestyle to improve quality of life.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Some good ideas and the overall concepts of the book are great, but the author come s off as preachy. Nothing like being told how bad your habits are from someone who is infallible. The author lives to continually remind the reader he doesn't and hasn't ever used social media. The author rarely admits his own faults, resulting in being unrelatable. There's a reason former drug addicts can relate the best to current ones. Despite addressing this in the beginning of the book, it doesn't fix it.
1 person found this helpful