## Top 3 Quotes > *To reclaim our aptitude for deep contemplation, we need to welcome boredom back into our lives. We need to slow down, resist constant stimulation, and give our psyches room to breathe.* - Caused me to be more accommodating for quiet walks instead of reading books like I used to always do ![[The Burnout Society#^3xkf5p]] - Was just personally transformative at the time as seen in [[Excess positivity]] ![[The Burnout Society#^ghbskg]] - Really poetic and eye-opening way of the dangers of the growth-oriented approach of an achievement society ## 3 Sentence Summary > What are the crucial points in this book that make it iconic, ideas I want to remember for the rest of my life? 1. [[Today's mental illnesses are caused by the infinite potential from excess positivity]] due to the transition from a [[Disciplinary society]] to an [[Achievement Society]] 2. To overcome [[Auto-exploitation]], we must engage in [[Boredom]] and [[Contemplation]] 3. Value life as life not for the potential it could be ## Notes ### Why I started reading this book %% How was this book relevant to my current life? Did it answer a specific question, enlighten me on a topic, etc. %% - Recommended by [[Robin Waldun]] and I'm a sucker for devil's advocate B) ### Author's Purpose - To give an explanation for the current mental health problems in the world - Reminds me of [[Awakening from the meaning crisis]] - both advocate for the dangers of an [[Achievement Society]] or of the [[Having mode]] as it lacks [[Meaning]] ## Content ### Concepts %% What are the central points of the book? %% - [[Disciplinary society]] - [[Achievement Society]] - [[Today's mental illnesses are caused by the infinite potential from excess positivity]] - [[Auto-exploitation]] - [[Burnout]] - [[Excess positivity]] - [[Overstimulation causes us to act animalistic]] - [[Growth for the sake of growth]] ### Practices - n/a, moreso philosophical ### Discussion > Bailey described calming activities like hiking through nature and meditation but they were a means to achieving productivity. His description of dopamine levels was disturbing. A very scientific view of humanity reduces personhood. [^1] - I think I do appreciate a mix of both perspectives. Giving yourself time to not care about productivity is uninuitively productive, but we shouldn't do it for the sake of that but to just enjoy leisure and boredom as a whole. ## Reflection ### Personal Revelations - dont be on the extreme end of endless potential - have a more balanced approach - be a person over project - mix between curiosity and mastery, bottom-up vs top-down ### Review - It was a somewhat frictionful read because of the specific references and terminologies. Combined with how it conflicts with my personal values of [[Self-Actualization]] it was a rewarding effort to read the book and contemplate on his argument against exploring our infinite potential. - When looking at life from an [[Achievement Society]] point of view it's easy to praise [[Auto-exploitation]], but now I really do see the value of a more balanced and non-extreme approach. Some of the potential dangers resonated with me, and the nature of excess positivity can make it hard to consciously realize the self-harm caused by this lifestyle - Made me further appreciate more humanistic philosophies ### External reviews - the idea of art as a kind of contemplation on the world that then allows for a depth of perception otherwise unavailable to those of us who are busy multi-tasking ### Reflection #### Hegelian Dialectic Synthesis - How can I reconcile the main ideas presented in the book with any opposing viewpoints or critiques? - Their extremes are incompatible but they can be in harmony with each other - Are there ways to integrate elements of both perspectives to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding? - Just to note the dangers of extreme devotion to growth on the pursuit of self-actualization, also making time for contemplation (which I feel I have been) - What new insights or perspectives have I gained from engaging with the author's ideas and their critiques? - Really emphasizing the danger of [[Growth for the sake of growth]] and [[Hustle Culture]] - In what ways has reading this book expanded or deepened my understanding of the topic? - just a very novel idea i haven't come across anymore and it helps explain + play devil's advocate to the content and ideas i was surrounding myself with earlier. - How might I apply the insights gained from this book to other areas of study or my own personal/professional life? - be more reflective on whether returning to 16 hour days of pure productivity is worth it ## Future Plans %% What does the book suggest or inspire you to do? %% ### Questions - How to differentiate [[Auto-exploitation]] with [[Self-Actualization]] ? ### Further Reading - N/A # References [^1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/RSbookclub/comments/105qttk/comment/j3dhq4n/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button