Does Our Work Define Us? Should It? How to Do Nothing By Jenny Odell
How to Do Nothing By Jenny Odell
Questions from Premise students about the book:
How has "productivity culture" precipitated the destruction of communal & public spaces--both built & natural?
Is it possible to accomplish anything socially beneficial through social media as it currently operates?
What is our obligation to each other (& to what degree) to participate in bettering the world rather than "dropping out" from despair or despondency?
How can we survive financially when doing nothing? Most counter-culture "nonproductive" pursuits are not remunerative?
If productivity is a trap that only leads to more work, not more time, what is the point of productivity? Or what is the goal that is being missed when we make things more efficient?
Productivity that focuses on just doing MORE, without considering whether what we're doing is WORTHWHILE, and to what end?
How can we live with her ideas while living in a culture where are expected to maximize the hustle?
“I am suggesting we take a protective stance toward ourselves, each other, and whatever is left of what makes us human- including the alliances that sustain and surprise us. I’m suggesting that we protect our spaces and our time for non-instrumental, non-commercial activity and thought, for maintenance, for care, for conviviality.”
