Talks at Google Ep115 - Jenny Odell | How To Do Nothing: Resisting The Attention Economy
Nov 3, 2020
Jenny Odell dives into the concept of 'doing nothing' as a bold resistance to the attention economy. She highlights the importance of deliberate inaction and how it can lead to deeper political engagement and personal fulfillment. The discussion touches on redefining art to prioritize experience over object, and emphasizes the value of deep listening and nature immersion amidst information overload. Through anecdotes and critiques, Odell champions reclaiming our attention in a world dominated by commercialization.
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Artist's 'Doing Nothing' Anecdote
- Jenny Odell recounts spending time doing "nothing" in an Oakland rose garden after political and community trauma.
- This quiet reflection helped her process and rethink value beyond productivity and making new things.
Leisure as Economic Resource
- Leisure time has become commodified and seen purely as an economic resource with measurable returns.
- This shift erodes non-commercial spaces and authentic free time, replacing them with activities optimized for monetization.
Bird Watching as Grounding Practice
- Observing local birds grounded Jenny Odell during overwhelming information overload, providing comfort and connection to place.
- These non-human perspectives help resist the alienation caused by digital culture and constant virtual exposure.
