The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World

This is outstanding book. Well researched and deeply thoughtful, it caused me to reflect honestly on my own patterns of electronic engagement and communication. I would put this book up there with the Pulitzer prize-winning The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to our Brains by Nicholas Carr, or Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger. Crook's research and thoughts hold their own with Carr and Junger, but she goes a step deeper/beyond their books through her inclusion of sources that are not in the narrow fields of evolutionary biology (Junger) or cultural/intellectual history (Carr). Drawing from a wide and considered variety of thinkers, Crook joins the growing chorus of thinkers and authors who are considering the cost to humanity of unthinking consumption of technology and electronic communication. This is my favorite book of the year.

I read this book on my two-month sabbatical from a fast-paced job in the tech industry and I wish more people would read it. It's a thoughtful, purposeful book that is needed in our modern culture. My biggest compliment for this book is that while many books in this genre tend to be be cranky anti-technology rants, this book has many practical and positive suggestions on how to USE technology instead of being USED by it. I give it four stars because sometimes the writing was repetitive or a bit disorganized, but the core ideas are wise and insightful.

A well thought out and thorough discussion of finding the calm in a wired world. I deleted the Facebook app on my phone (again) after reading this on vacation. A vacation which, I left my phone in the hotel room all day.This book is just the kick I needed to put the unnecessary noise aside and focus on what matters most.

Published only seven years ago, this one is now a classic, but a must read for anyone interested in learning more about our technology-obsessed culture.

Bought it as a gift.

Great book! I believe everyone should read it - also gave information for other great books to read.

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.The book covers the challenges and solutions as well as the ramifications to our neglected selves through the 30 day experiment conducted by the author. During this time, she unplugged her life from all instant media. Including all things that most of us in the developed world use hourly, daily, (if not constantly) for work, entertainment and human interactions.She made some very valid points. Very few people pick up their phones to call anyone anymore. We rely heavily on social media to tell us how our friends and family are doing. Rarely does anyone paint their life in an accurate light by these means. In the age of enlightenment, we are forgetting to be human.As a computer/tablet/smartphone user, I have become accustomed to having information at my fingertips. Like many, I have given up reading the newspaper, going to the library for research, or buying birthday cards. I can complete all of these tasks at home in my jammies in a matter of minutes. I find that, as the writer explains, I become frustrated with waiting for anything. I have slowly evolved into a self-sustaining information sponge that is quickly losing social skills. Like many, I prefer to shop online to avoid people and hassles. There was a time when I loved the bustle of city life. Through technology, the easier ways has overpowered the healthier (both mental and physical) ways.I tried the experiment for one day. When realizing that not having my phone also meant I also could not tell what time it was- it did made for an interesting and stressful day. Calling contacts while searching through the phonebook taught me that I am was ill prepared for my quest. It only got worse from there. When I got home that night, I vowed I would never leave my phone home again.In all, the subjects presented in the book made me think. I find that standing in line for my coffee is less stressful because I no longer look at my barista and the others in front of me as machines. I see them clearer as humans. I have made a point to smile at others, saying please and thank you more.While it may be impossible to live in a wireless-free world. There is a balance to be found. Some of my favorite evenings are spent with family, playing cards, my phone tucked forgotten in my purse deposited in another room of the house. Laughter is infectious, and memories made with people are more vivid than the text messages I have sent or received. And I always LOVE sitting in a quiet room, curled up in my favorite chair, my dog at my side, and a great BOOK in my hand.Balance.The author gave a ton of great suggestions, included lots of facts in our evolving technological age to date. My hat is off to her lasting the 30 days AND still maintaining a online blog. The typewriter alone would have killed me! As a woman with dyslexia, auto correct is my bestest of friends!This book is worth the read.Happy Reading.

Only made it halfway through the book. Seemed like I was reading the same anecdotes over and over. The author frequently comments on her fragmented daily routine as a mother of small children. The book read as if the author was constantly stopping and restarting her writing efforts, and I wondered if she had written a few pages and was then interrupted. Ironically, this is very much like the premise of the subject material, that due to the interruptions of modern technology we have forgotten how to focus. I believe the book could benefit from better structure and better editing. IMO it read as if the author found everybody who agreed with her premise, and then included them in the book. Not unlike Social Media. I do not mean these comments as criticism, because I am fascinated that the organization of the book is so reflective of the technological impacts that the author discusses, and in that sense the structure of the book and the writing proves her point.

Good condition

Very good book.It is not shallow about the theme.Has a lot of papers mentioned.Author probably did made a extensive review and research about jomo.Sometimes I fell angst while reading because of implications of technology dependence and its impacts on humanity .It is very important a critical reading to not superestimate this topic.

Excellent reading on current technology and why people need to take time from these devices and enjoy life itself. People are social animals and need to interact in person not only through electronic devices. If we do, it will be a sad world. Teach our younger generation the importance of 'being present ' in the moment.

This is a wonderful book that draws our attention to a subject that has long been sidelined in our quest for technological progress. While the internet has made our lives measurably easier in some respects, it has aspects that equate to a giant human experiment. As Christina points out it has changed the way we relate to each other and children are no longer learning the subtle signs of body language that used to be par of the course. Instead they try and text their way to fulfilling human relationships. As someone who works solving children's behaviour problems, this is a timely and useful book that draws attention to both to how we got here and what we can do about it, all essential elements to enjoying a balanced life.

This book is a surprisingly enjoyable read. It is both delightful and insightful. It causes you to think about your use of technology and avoids the traps of either unquestioned enthusiastic support for technology, or ludite like denial of its benefits. This book embraces the beauty and the brokenness of technology and seeks to find a balanced path to a more fulfilling interaction with it. What most surprised me though was that it manages to be both well researched and enjoyably, inspiringly readable!