I recently listened to the audiobook 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week by Tiffany Shlain. Read on for my thoughts on this intriguing book.
Publisher’s Summary
Do you wish you had more time to do what you love, think deeply, and focus on the people and things that matter most? By giving up screens one day a week for more than a decade, internet pioneer and renowned filmmaker Tiffany Shlain and her family have gained more time, productivity, connection, and presence. Shlain takes us on a thought-provoking and entertaining journey through time and technology, introducing a strategy for flourishing in our 24/7 world. Drawn from the ancient ritual of Shabbat, living 24/6 can work for anyone from any background. With humor and wisdom, Shlain shares her story, offering the accessible lessons she has learned and providing a blueprint for how to do it yourself.
“Bolstered with fascinating and germane facts about neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, and the history of the concept of a day of rest” (Publishers Weekly), 24/6 makes the case for incorporating this weekly reset into our 24/7 lives, issuing a call to rebalance ourselves and our society.
My Thoughts
I think the premise of this book is wonderful. In a world where many of us are tied to our devices like they provide us with the means for living, the idea of unplugging one day a week is refreshing. Not only does the author rationalize her argument and back it up with a boatload of evidence, but she provides a massive amount of step-by-step actions the reader can take to apply this practice to their own life. Of course, I’m writing this on my iPhone, so I’m one of the millions using their devices more than we probably should. But this book made me think, and being more thoughtful about our actions is the first step toward progress. The author narrates this audiobook, and she does a great job, coming off as sincere and heartfelt. 24/6 is definitely worth listening to or reading. And if you have a Scribd membership, you can do both! Give this one a go, and see if you can find a few ways to unplug more and live in the present.