In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed (Plus)

We live in the age of speed. We strain to be more efficient, to cram more into each minute, each hour, each day. Since the Industrial Revolution shifted the world into high gear, the cult of speed has pushed us to a breaking point. Consider these facts: Americans on average spend seventy-two minutes of every day behind the wheel of a car, a typical business executive now loses sixty-eight hours a year to being put on hold, and American adults currently devote on average a mere half hour per week to making love. Living on the edge of exhaustion, we are constantly reminded by our bodies and minds that the pace of life is spinning out of control. In Praise of Slowness traces the history of our increasingly breathless relationship with time and tackles the consequences of living in this accelerated culture of our own creation. Why are we always in such a rush? What is the cure for time sickness? Is it possible, or even desirable, to slow down? Realizing the price we pay for unrelenting speed, people all over the world are reclaiming their time and slowing down the pace -- and living happier, healthier, and more productive lives as a result. A Slow revolution is taking place. Here you will find no Luddite calls to overthrow technology and seek a preindustrial utopia. This is a modern revolution, championed by cell-phone using, e-mailing lovers of sanity. The Slow philosophy can be summed up in a single word -- balance. People are discovering energy and efficiency where they may have been least expected -- in slowing down. In this engaging and entertaining exploration, award-winning journalist and rehabilitated speedaholic Carl Honor? details our perennial love affair with efficiency and speed in a perfect blend of anecdotal reportage, history, and intellectual inquiry. In Praise of Slowness is the first comprehensive look at the worldwide Slow movements making their way into the mainstream -- in offices, factories, neighborhoods, kitchens, hospitals, concert halls, bedrooms, gyms, and schools. Defining a movement that is here to stay, this spirited manifesto will make you completely rethink your relationship with time.

we Live In The Age Of Speed. We Strain To Be More Efficient, To Cram More Into Each Minute, Each Hour, Each Day. Since The Industrial Revolution Shifted The World Into High Gear, The Cult Of Speed Has Pushed Us To A Breaking Point. Consider These Facts: Americans On Average Spend Seventy-two Minutes Of Every Day Behind The Wheel Of A Car, A Typical Business Executive Now Loses Sixty-eight Hours A Year To Being Put On Hold, And American Adults Currently Devote On Average A Mere Half Hour Per Week To Making Love.

living On The Edge Of Exhaustion, We Are Constantly Reminded By Our Bodies And Minds That The Pace Of Life Is Spinning Out Of Control. in Praise Of Slowness Traces The History Of Our Increasingly Breathless Relationship With Time And Tackles The Consequences Of Living In This Accelerated Culture Of Our Own Creation. Why Are We Always In Such A Rush? What Is The Cure For Time Sickness? Is It Possible, Or Even Desirable, To Slow Down? Realizing The Price We Pay For Unrelenting Speed, People All Over The World Are Reclaiming Their Time And Slowing Down The Pace — And Living Happier, Healthier, And More Productive Lives As A Result. A Slow Revolution Is Taking Place.

here You Will Find No Luddite Calls To Overthrow Technology And Seek A Preindustrial Utopia. This Is A Modern Revolution, Championed By Cell-phone Using, E-mailing Lovers Of Sanity. The Slow Philosophy Can Be Summed Up In A Single Word — Balance. People Are Discovering Energy And Efficiency Where They May Have Been Least Expected — In Slowing Down.

in This Engaging And Entertaining Exploration, Award-winning Journalist And Rehabilitated Speedaholic Carl Honoré Details Our Perennial Love Affair With Efficiency And Speed In A Perfect Blend Of Anecdotal Reportage, History, And Intellectual Inquiry. in Praise Of Slowness Is The First Comprehensive Look At The Worldwide Slow Movements Making Their Way Into The Mainstream — In Offices, Factories, Neighborhoods, Kitchens, Hospitals, Concert Halls, Bedrooms, Gyms, And Schools. Defining A Movement That Is Here To Stay, This Spirited Manifesto Will Make You Completely Rethink Your Relationship With Time.

We live in the age of speed. We strain to be more efficient, to cram more into each minute, each hour, each day. Since the Industrial Revolution shifted the world into high gear, the cult of speed has pushed us to a breaking point. Consider these facts: Americans on average spend seventy-two minutes of every day behind the wheel of a car, a typical business executive now loses sixty-eight hours a year to being put on hold, and American adults currently devote on average a mere half hour per week to making love.Living on the edge of exhaustion, we are constantly reminded by our bodies and minds that the pace of life is spinning out of control. In Praise of Slowness traces the history of our increasingly breathless relationship with time and tackles the consequences of living in this accelerated culture of our own creation. Why are we always in such a rush? What is the cure for time sickness? Is it possible, or even desirable, to slow down? Realizing the price we pay for unrelenting speed, people all over the world are reclaiming their time and slowing down the pace -- and living happier, healthier, and more productive lives as a result. A Slow revolution is taking place.Here you will find no Luddite calls to overthrow technology and seek a preindustrial utopia. This is a modern revolution, championed by cell-phone using, e-mailing lovers of sanity. The Slow philosophy can be summed up in a single word -- balance. People are discovering energy and efficiency where they may have been least expected -- in slowing down.In this engaging and entertaining exploration, award-winning journalist and rehabilitated speedaholic Carl Honore details our perennial love affair with efficiency and speed in a perfect blend of anecdotal reportage, history, and intellectual inquiry. In Praise of Slowness is the first comprehensive look at the worldwide Slow movements making their way into the mainstream -- in offices, factories, neighborhoods, kitchens, hospitals, concert halls, bedrooms, gyms, and schools. Defining a movement that is here to stay, this spirited manifesto will make you completely rethink your relationship with time. Challenges modern society's culture of speed and efficiency, identifying the benefits of a slower-paced lifestyle and its effect on dining habits, urban living, mental and physical health, and relationships. "We live in the age of speed. The world around us moves faster than ever before. We strain to be more efficient, to cram more into each minute, each hour, every day. Since the Industrial Revolution shifted the world into high gear, the cult of speed has taken complete hold and pushed us to breaking point. Consider these facts: Americans spend 40% less time with their children than they did in the 1960s; American on average spends 72 minutes of every day behind the wheel of a car; a typical business executive now loses 68 hours a year to being put on hold; and American adults currently devote on average a meager half hour per week to making love. Living on the edge of exhaustion, we are constantly reminded by our bodies and minds that the pace of life is spinning out of control. In Praise of Slowness traces the history of our increasingly breathless relationship with time, and tackles the consequences and conundrum of living in this accelerated culture of our own creation. Why are we always in such a rush? What is the cure for time-sickness? Is it possible, or even desirable, to slow down? Realizing the price we pay for unrelenting speed, people all over the world are reclaiming their time and slowing down the pace - and living happier, more productive and healthier lives as a result. A slow revolution is taking place"--Jacket. "The Slow philosophy can be summed up in a single word - balance. People are discovering energy and efficiency where we may have least expected - in slowing down." "In this engaging and entertaining exploration, award-winning journalist and rehabilitated speedaholic Carl Honore details our perennial love affair with efficiency and speed in a perfect blend of anecdotal reportage, history, and intellectual inquiry. In Praise of Slowness is the first comprehensive look at the worldwide Slow movements making their way into the mainstream - in offices, factories, neighborhoods, kitchens, hospitals, concert halls, bedrooms, gyms, and schools."--Jacket Introduction : Age of rage Do everything faster Slow is beautiful Food : turning the tables on speed ; Cities : blending old and new ; Mind/body : mens sana in corpore sano Medicine : doctors and patience Sex : a lover with a slow hand Work : the benefits of working less hard Leisure : the importance of being at rest Children : raising an unhurried child Conclusion : Finding the tempo giusto. "On a sun-bleached afternoon in the summer of 1985, my teenage tour of Europe grinds to a halt in a square on the outskirts of Rome."