The Distraction Addiction : Getting the Information You Need and the Communication You Want, Without Enraging Your Family, Annoying Your Colleagues, and Destroying Your Soul

The question of our time: can we reclaim our lives in an age that feels busier and more distracting by the day? We've all found ourselves checking email at the dinner table, holding our breath while waiting for Outlook to load, or sitting hunched in front of a screen for an hour longer than we intended. Mobile devices and the web have invaded our lives, and this is a big idea book that addresses one of the biggest questions of our age: can we stay connected without diminishing our intelligence, attention spans, and ability to really live? Can we have it all? Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, a renowned Stanford technology guru, says yes. THE DISTRACTION ADDICTION is packed with fascinating studies, compelling research, and crucial takeaways. Whether it's breathing while Facebook refreshes, or finding creative ways to take a few hours away from the digital crush, this book is about the ways to tune in without tuning out. The Question Of Our Time: Can We Reclaim Our Lives In An Age That Feels Busier And More Distracting By The Day? We Have All Found Ourselves Checking Email At The Dinner Table, Holding Our Breath While Waiting For Outlook To Load, Or Sitting Hunched In Front Of A Screen For An Hour Longer Than We Intended. Mobile Devices And The Web Have Invaded Our Lives, And This Is A Big Idea Book That Addresses One Of The Biggest Questions Of Our Age: Can We Stay Connected Without Diminishing Our Intelligence, Attention Spans, And Ability To Really Live? Can We Have It All? Here The Author, A Stanford University Technology Guru, Says Yes. His Book Is Packed With Fascinating Studies, Compelling Research, And Crucial Takeaways. Whether It Is Breathing While Facebook Refreshes, Or Finding Creative Ways To Take A Few Hours Away From The Digital Crush, This Book Is About The Ways To Tune In Without Tuning Out. - Publisher. Introduction: Two Monkeys -- Breathe -- Simplify -- Meditate -- Deprogram -- Experiment -- Refocus -- Rest -- Eight Steps To Contemplative Computing -- Appendix 1: Keeping A Tech Diary -- Appendix 2: Rules For Mindful Social Media -- Appendix 3: Diy Digital Sabbath. Alex Soojung-kim Pang. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 245-280) And Index. Setting aside the question of whether people enslaved by their mobile devices and the Internet would devote any time to reading this rangy self-help book by futurist Pang, those who do might discover that his approach to contemplative computing has merit. Taking a page from Buddhist thought, Pang presents eight principles (or steps) to help those hopelessly distracted by technology's siren call convert their switch-tasking to productive multitasking, adopt tools to protect their concentration, be more mindful in their involvement with social media, and recharge their minds and souls through restorative practices, including observing a DIY Digital Sabbath. Pang bolsters his advice with anecdotes of intellectual breakthroughs by great thinkers of the past, coupled with interviews with present-day scientists and tech-savvy professionals. These accounts, including the surprising use of social media by Buddhist monks and a lengthy analysis of Darwin's method of reflection through walking, are the best part of Pang's book, placing today's current tech addiction into a broader context of human history, development, and philosophical insight Introduction : Two monkeys Breathe Simplify Meditate Deprogram Experiment Refocus Rest Eight steps to contemplative computing Appendixes. Keeping a tech diary Rules for mindful social media DIY digital sabbath