Many thanks to Ann for hosting our meeting last night. We missed the expertise of Amy and Lisa when questions arose about the role of the Haggadah in Jewish life. Is it simply a prayer book or something more?
Abby will be hosting our May meeting (note the change) and we will discuss the Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Start reading now--it's a long book, though it goes quickly.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Distracted!
I was at Seattle University yesterday, talking to some students--and also had a chance to talk with a professor there, who teaches a class on solitude. I am fascinated by the topic, and she recommended a book--which she uses in this class, called "Distracted." I've got this book on order from the library, but here's a review of it from Publisher's Weekly:
In this richly detailed and passionately argued book, Jackson (What's Happening to Home?) warns that modern society's inability to focus heralds an impending Dark Age—an era historically characterized by the decline of a civilization amid abundance and technological advancement. Jackson posits that our near-religious allegiance to a constant state of motion and addiction to multitasking are eroding our capacity for deep, sustained, perceptive attention—the building block of intimacy, wisdom and cultural progress and stunting society's ability to comprehend what's relevant and permanent. The author provides a lively historical survey of attention, drawing upon philosophy, the impact of scientific innovations and her own experiences to investigate the possible genetic and psychological roots of distraction. While Jackson cites modern virtual life (the social network Facebook and online interactive game Second Life), her research is largely mired in the previous century, and she draws weak parallels between romance via telegraph and online dating, and supernatural spiritualism and a newfound desire to reconnect. Despite the detours (a cultural history of the fork?), Jackson has produced a well-rounded and well-researched account of the travails facing an ADD society and how to reinvigorate a renaissance of attention. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
It may be something good for us to consider for next year. I am finding myself so distracted by new media--I'm very interested in what this author has to say (and wish I was a Seattle U student, so I could take that class on solitude!)
In this richly detailed and passionately argued book, Jackson (What's Happening to Home?) warns that modern society's inability to focus heralds an impending Dark Age—an era historically characterized by the decline of a civilization amid abundance and technological advancement. Jackson posits that our near-religious allegiance to a constant state of motion and addiction to multitasking are eroding our capacity for deep, sustained, perceptive attention—the building block of intimacy, wisdom and cultural progress and stunting society's ability to comprehend what's relevant and permanent. The author provides a lively historical survey of attention, drawing upon philosophy, the impact of scientific innovations and her own experiences to investigate the possible genetic and psychological roots of distraction. While Jackson cites modern virtual life (the social network Facebook and online interactive game Second Life), her research is largely mired in the previous century, and she draws weak parallels between romance via telegraph and online dating, and supernatural spiritualism and a newfound desire to reconnect. Despite the detours (a cultural history of the fork?), Jackson has produced a well-rounded and well-researched account of the travails facing an ADD society and how to reinvigorate a renaissance of attention. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
It may be something good for us to consider for next year. I am finding myself so distracted by new media--I'm very interested in what this author has to say (and wish I was a Seattle U student, so I could take that class on solitude!)
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