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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The World Beyond Your Head summary
Matthew B. Crawford
On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction
20 mins
Brief summary
The World Beyond Your Head by Matthew B. Crawford sheds light on how we experience the world and is an insightful read that challenges us to rethink our relationship with technology.
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The World Beyond Your Head
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Key idea 1 of 9
We’re currently living in a crisis of attention.
In the modern world, we’re constantly surrounded by attention-demanding technology – phones, laptops, iPads – which makes it almost impossible to focus. Thanks to this environment, we’ve developed a need for constant mental stimulation.
This need has a big effect on what cognitive psychologists call our orienting response. The orienting response is what makes us pay special attention to anything that enters our field of vision. We evolved this important survival instinct to help us avoid predators.
The problem is that these days, new stimuli pop into our field of vision every few seconds! And we’ve gotten so used to this constant stimulation that we actually crave it, even when it’s not important to us.
The fact that we take our ability to pay attention for granted adds to the problem. Attention is crucial to how we interact with the world; it’s what enables us to think and create.
But our attention span is inherently limited. In this era of Big Data, ads and bits of news flash at us constantly, an overwhelming barrage of information. And for those who grew up in a different “attentional landscape” – that is, adults who grew up without this constant stream of information – it may be even worse.
We also generally engage less in activities that demand a lot of attention these days – and it’s impoverishing our lives. Paying attention is a skill you build, by doing things like reading a book from cover to cover, something people today do less and less.
Certain skilled practices like repairing bikes or sewing are also on the decline. We just don’t have the patience for them anymore, preferring to spend most of our time engaged in activities that occur inside our own heads.
But attention is crucial; it’s the secret ingredient that allows us to thrive. In fact, studies have shown that children able to control where they direct their attention are more successful in adulthood.
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What is The World Beyond Your Head about?
Our world has changed enormously in recent years. We’ve developed amazing technology, but this technology has also taken a toll on many important aspects of our lives: our attention spans, our relationships and even our personalities. The World Beyond Your Head (2015) is all about the modern crisis of attention and how you can extract yourself from it.
The World Beyond Your Head Review
The World Beyond Your Head (2015) explores the impact of our modern environment on our attention and engagement. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through compelling examples and philosophical insights, Crawford examines the importance of attention and offers practical strategies for reclaiming it.
- With a focus on the physical world and the importance of embodiment, the book challenges the digital distractions that often dominate our lives.
- By delving into the realms of art, craftsmanship, and sports, the book uncovers the value of skilled practices and immersive experiences in a hyper-distracted world.
Best quote from The World Beyond Your Head
Our distractibility seems to indicate that we are agnostic on the question of what is worth paying attention to.
—Matthew B. Crawford
Who should read The World Beyond Your Head?
- People frustrated with the modern world
- Those who spend too much time on social media
- Anyone who wants to improve their concentration
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The World Beyond Your Head FAQs
What is the main message of The World Beyond Your Head?
The main message of The World Beyond Your Head is that we should reclaim our attention and focus on the real world around us.
How long does it take to read The World Beyond Your Head?
The reading time for The World Beyond Your Head varies based on individual reading speed. However, you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is The World Beyond Your Head a good book? Is it worth reading?
The World Beyond Your Head is worth reading for its thought-provoking insights on the modern world and our relationship with technology.
Who is the author of The World Beyond Your Head?
The author of The World Beyond Your Head is Matthew B. Crawford.
What to read after The World Beyond Your Head?
If you're wondering what to read next after The World Beyond Your Head, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal
- Unsubscribe by Jocelyn K. Glei
- Your Brain at Work by David Rock
- The Distraction Addiction by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
- Lateral Thinking by Edward de Bono
- Mindstuck by Michael McQueen
- How to Think More Effectively by The School of Life
- The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
- To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink
- Power Questions by Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas