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Self-reflection in a time of pandemic

Jenny Odell's How To Do Nothing may be the book to see you through this nationwide stay-home order

Helmi Yusof

Published Thu, Apr 9, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Books

How To Do Nothing: Resisting The Attention Economy

By Jenny Odell Published by Melville House S$45, Hardcover

FEELING CLAUSTROPHOBIC FROM too much time indoors? Jenny Odell's bestselling philosophical book, How To Do Nothing: Resisting The Attention Economy, proves surprisingly relevant as Covid-stricken countries go into full or semi-lockdown.

The book, which former US president Barack Obama listed as one of his favourites of 2019, is not so much about how to do nothing, but about refocusing our attention on living in the present and on the things surrounding us, and finding pleasure in th…