Laziness Does Not Exist (Unabridged)
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4.0 • 49 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
From social psychologist Dr. Devon Price, a conversational, stirring call to “a better, more human way to live” (Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author) that examines the “laziness lie”—which falsely tells us we are not working or learning hard enough.
Extra-curricular activities. Honors classes. 60-hour work weeks. Side hustles.
Like many Americans, Dr. Devon Price believed that productivity was the best way to measure self-worth. Price was an overachiever from the start, graduating from both college and graduate school early, but that success came at a cost. After Price was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia and heart complications from overexertion, they were forced to examine the darker side of all this productivity.
Laziness Does Not Exist explores the psychological underpinnings of the “laziness lie,” including its origins from the Puritans and how it has continued to proliferate as digital work tools have blurred the boundaries between work and life. Using in-depth research, Price explains that people today do far more work than nearly any other humans in history yet most of us often still feel we are not doing enough.
Filled with practical and accessible advice for overcoming society’s pressure to do more, and featuring interviews with researchers, consultants, and experiences from real people drowning in too much work, Laziness Does Not Exist “is the book we all need right now” (Caroline Dooner, author of The F*ck It Diet).
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Many of us think that feeling overworked, overscheduled, and overtired is just the price of modern life. But social psychologist Devon Price makes the case that these costs are too high. Price traces the roots of American attitudes about work all the way back to the Industrial Revolution, and explains how our culture came to believe the “laziness lie”: the notion that happiness and success come only when you devote your life to efficiency and productivity. Price lays out conclusive research that shows that, even with new technologies designed to make office life easier, we’re working more hours than ever—and this negatively affects everything from our parenting to our physical fitness. Narrator Em Grosland brings plenty of enthusiasm to Price’s solid advice on changing our approach, whether that means taking sick days when we need a break or simply recognizing the value of a nice walk. Laziness Does Not Exist can help even the most work-driven people realize that taking their foot off the gas pays dividends in health, happiness, and family life.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic.
I’ve struggled with depression (persistent and major depressive episodes) my whole life and realized I’m ADHD and Autistic just in the past few years. I never feel like I’m doing enough - and to be honest, I’m often not! My immediate family is full of award-winning overachievers who I’ve struggled to keep up with my whole life.
Long story short, I eventually found myself unable to work and barely able to attend school, wracked with shame and guilt for how unproductive I was. I haven’t gotten very far into this book yet but I’m familiar with Dr. Devon Price’s work and advocacy and it’s helped me quite a lot in my battle with depression. His work around “Laziness Does Not Exist” also infuriates me - which is good! Capitalism is a total mess and people are essentially tortured with overwork and overwhelm, and it’s completely unsustainable.
For those inspired by the contents of this book, I also recommend Tricia Hersey’s book “Rest is Resistance” and her work with The Nap Ministry.
Avoid Audio Version
For a nonfiction book, I wish she cited more sources for the claims (but maybe they are there in the print version. I have the audiobook. It hard to tell with the audiobook whether everything is based on anecdotes only.) It’s very redundant and belabors very simple points ad nauseam. Also, if you choose to read this book and you are older than Gen Z, I highly recommend getting the print version. I personally cannot stand the voice and wish I had listened to a sample before ordering. It sounds like a whiny Gen Z person doing a poetry slam. Way too much expression for the content. I try to imagine someone older talking without so much whining, but it’s difficult. I’m only 40% of the way through and cannot finish it.
Nope
Not worth it