Wellbeing and technopoly

An annotated reading of the books I read in February 2025.

This month’s book selection mixes the themes of wellbeing, love, and technology, with a focus on how they intersect in our lives.

Books Read in Februrary 2025

  1. Amusing Ourselves to Death
  2. Attached
  3. Technopoly
  4. All About Love
  5. Wellbeing

Quite amusing all things considered

Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death is a classic critique of television and its impact on public discourse. In it, he argues that the medium of television (translation: modern social media) has transformed serious discourse into entertainment, leading to a society more concerned with amusement than with critical thought.

The science of human attachment

A canonical work, Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller explores the science of adult attachment styles and how they affect our relationships. The book provides insights into how understanding your own attachment style can lead to healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Technocracy to technopoly

Neil Postman’s Technopoly is a thought-provoking examination of how technology has come to dominate our culture. Postman argues that we have surrendered our autonomy to technology, allowing it to dictate the terms of our lives. He warns against the dangers of a society that prioritizes technological advancement over human values and ethics.

Love with fewer limits

Bell Hooks’ All About Love is a demanding yet profound exploration of love in its many forms. In this work, Hooks challenges the conventional notions of love, urging us to redefine it as a practice of mutual respect, care, and understanding directed toward one’s growth.

The pursuit of wellbeing

Lastly for this month, Wellbeing by Tom Rath and Jim Harter provides a comprehensive look at the elements that contribute to one’s overall wellbeing. The authors argue that wellbeing is not just the absence of illness but a holistic state that encompasses (1) career, (2) social, (3) financial, (4) physical, and (5) community wellbeing (in order of the magnitude of effect on one’s overall wellbeing). Importantly, the authors provide practical strategies for enhancing wellbeing in our lives.

Upward and onward.

Alex