How to Do Nothing Resisting the Attention Economy Jenny Odell

It’s easy to feel like you have to constantly be doing something. Social media declares that to be a good person, you have to pay attention to the right post or cause; you feel like your time is money and you have to constantly use it productively.Understanding and resisting this mindset is the subject of professor and visual artist Jenny Odell’s How to Do Nothing. According to Odell, the need to constantly do something derives from capitalism and is harmful to everyone. Using examples from art, history, and her own life, Odell recommends doing nothing—devoting time and attention to “non-productive” activities that deepen your connection with the world.In this guide, we’ll define the “attention economy” and explain why you constantly feel pushed to be productive. We’ll also show how you can “do nothing” to take back control of your life and engage with the world in a deeper, more satisfying way. Through our commentary, we’ll explore some of the history and philosophy behind Odell’s ideas and offer practical ways you can implement her suggestions.