24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week

In this wise, wonderful work, filmmaker Shlain (Brain Power) eloquently argues the merits of taking a break from technology, particularly smartphones, one day a week—a practice she refers to as “tech Shabbat.” Coexisting with technology in this balanced way will make readers more creative and productive, Shlain suggests. She explains how she, her husband, and their two teenage daughters put away screens from Friday night to Saturday night and invite friends over for dinner, bake bread, and sleep late—all things that allow them to recharge and regroup. Included is a simple, easy-to-follow guide for implementing her tech Shabbat with advice on picking a day and strategies for different lifestyles and family sizes. Shlain is also open about how difficult disconnecting can be and shares some of her own slips, yet always encourages because she believes “we all have a profound need for stillness, silence, days of reflection away from the noise. Letting your mind have back its most reflective mode lets you see the best way forward.” Bolstered with fascinating and germane facts about neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, and the history of the concept of a day of rest, this excellent cross between instruction and memoir deserves a wide audience. [em](Oct.) [/em]