Notes on a Nervous Planet

I found this to be both re-assuring and sobering, while also quite thought provoking. Its an easy read, in terms of the short chapter sizes and the size of the book even, a relatively small hardback book. It looks perhaps a bit like a book you may find on a coffee table, or on a table in a waiting room, which isn't a bad idea come to think of it, as I imagine many people could either learn or feel more re-assured from reading a few pages of it.

I liked that it doesn't have a continuous flow as such - it is primarily about the speed of life/society/technology nowadays (mainly IT and moreso social media) and the impact of this on our everyday mental health but the book doesn't have to be purely read from start to end for sections, say, midway through to be understood on their own.

The speed of technology nowadays is certainly a very important issue and so its a timely read, I reckon. It is partly science and psychology related - I say this in as much as there are numerous mentions of scientific and psychology related research in to things such as the importance of sleep (of which there are books specifically about this one topic on its own) and the potential for addiction to digital devices and the like, for example. Some specific studies are mentioned, with some interesting statistics and if this is a topic (or indeed the book in general) that interests you, not necessarily due to your own mental health issues but in terms of you having an interest in the impact our culture appears to have on us as indviduals, then I reckon this is a very good sort of introductory text on the topic (of course there are other books you could read after this).

I was particularly interested in reading what some of the more influential employees at some of the bigger internet and technology related companies/websites think, with quotes from people involved in Google, Apple and so on mentioned.

The ocassional page consists only of a heading and a quote - there are some quite poignant quotes listed, which I found somewhat moving, from people including Sylvia Plath and T.S. Eliot.

Personally, I very much enjoyed the various lists provided, as I do love a good list but this may not apply to everyone. It is quite a thought provoking book and its one you should be able to read in a day, so I reckon it makes a great text for anyone curious about the themes but who doesn't know where to start. Its certainly not a long slog of a read and as I read it, I felt the author made some valid, sometimes salient points. I hope that the issues covered are discussed more in the media now, as he says stigma is a real issue and it seems pretty inevitable that, in the future, aspects of over-use regarding the internet will constitute a defined addiction.

If I were to mention any criticisms, they'd be that it felt a little frustrating that there were some questions raised to which there aren't any clear cut answers. In a way it'd be impossible to answer questions about where we're headed, as a people, societally speaking, in the future but some things do leave you wondering and if your especially inclined then it may unsettle you I suppose. Also, on a personal level, the advice given (in the form of a list) regarding preventing breakdowns in relation to work seemed a bit too basic and I'd have liked to read perhaps a little more in the way of details about how to achieve the suggested advice.

I think, realistically, this book won't suit absolutely everyone, in as much as it may be thought of as a little sappy in places by some perhaps but for those of us who do struggle with mental health issues and wonder how to protect our mental health in our fast paced society with all the distractions, stresses and concerns around us everyday, its a worthwhile read. Generally speaking I very much enjoyed it as a read and I would, overall, recommend this to others.

Very interesting and thoughtful book.