Review by Meghan Mast
Todaya€™s society is ruled by speed. Everyone seems to be under the impression that fast is best. Carl Honore, author of In Praise of Slow challenges readers to think about slowing down, and argues that a slower approach to life is often beneficial. An initial skeptic of the Slow Movement, Honorea€™s perspective will appeal to a variety of readers. Living a Slow lifestyle is not a wishy-washy excuse to be lazy, but instead it is an attempt to reclaim our lives from speed.
Technology was instrumental in the introduction to fast living, beginning with the emergence of the clock. Ironically, technology was initially expected to make life easier and less hectic. Benjamin Franklin predicted that with the introduction of machines, people would soon be working a maximum of four hours a week. Years later, machines have done just the opposite by instead contributing to hectic lifestyles. Cell phones and a€?Blackberriesa€? make empty promises of efficiency and convenience, but instead deprive people of privacy and silence.

Honorea€™s interest in slowing down begins when he stumbles across the phenomena of a€?One-minute Bedtimea€? stories. Although initially intrigued by the idea, he soon begins to realize how ridiculous the cult of speed has become. Even precious time between parents and children is being turned into a cold, calculated interaction. Relationships are being compromised in favor of saving a couple minutes.
Critics of the Slow Movement are apprehensive that such a lifestyle is not appropriate or affordable for all individuals. Such concerns are a misconception. Anyone can add a few simple alterations to create a slower lifestyle.
Examples of these alterations include a slower approach to food, sex, work and raising children. Benefits to these simple changes strongly outweigh the negatives. Slow food is healthier than fast food; slow sex is more intimate and often even more satisfying; and working less hours reduces stress which often leads to burnout. Raising children in a slow manner concentrates on strengthening relationship ties within the family.
Admittedly, some aspects of the Slow Movement are more limited to individuals with access time. However, the majority of the population can make simple decisions to slow down that do not cost more, and even sometimes cost less. This book clearly outlines the disadvantages of rushing, the advantages of taking more time, and also the means by which to achieve a more temporally balanced life.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 7:02 pm and is filed under Book & Movie Reviews, Restaurant Ramblings, What's Happening. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.