Autopilot

The Art & Science of Doing Nothing

By: Andrew Smart

Narrated by: Kevin Free

Length: 3 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Andrew Smart wants you to sit and do nothing much more often - and he has the science to explain why.

At every turn we’re pushed to do more, faster, and more efficiently: That drumbeat resounds throughout our wage-slave society. Multitasking is not only a virtue, it’s a necessity. Books such as Getting Things Done, The One Minute Manager, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People regularly top the best seller lists, and have spawned a considerable industry.

But Andrew Smart argues that slackers may have the last laugh. The latest neuroscience shows that the “culture of effectiveness” is not only ineffective, it can be harmful to your well-being. He makes a compelling case - backed by science - that filling life with activity at work and at home actually hurts your brain.

A survivor of corporate-mandated “Six Sigma” training to improve efficiency, Smart has channeled a self-described “loathing” of the time-management industry into a witty, informative, and wide-ranging audiobook that draws on the most recent research into brain power. Use it to explain to bosses, family, and friends why you need to relax - right now.

©2013 Andrew Smart (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Interesting concept

This Book really made me wonder why I schedule out my life and beat myself up for not being the busiest person I know. I like the thought to do nothing and allow our brains to work!

Excellent Book & Narration

I, personally, loved this book. For the free spirited and those not offended by truths.

Loved it!

Interesting viewpoint, backed by real science. The information on ADHD was particularly well presented and documented.

Insightful!

What does Kevin Free bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I believe that Kevin Free narrated the book with the emotions as author intended them to be received.

Any additional comments?

This was an insightful listen! Listening to the author talk about how our brains are structured actually helped me with some prior books that I have listened to. If you are looking for a book that explains to you why you should relax...I recommend you read this book.

Eye opening

I am in the process of starting up my own business and I’m doing so trying to open my mind and improve myself with different processes. This book at first seemed very not helpful but as I began to listen was so informative. Opened my eyes to how God created us and science doesn’t disprove God but confirm. How our body is designed to be balance by what we do and how we think. Creativity in this society where production is king is hard and takes more effort but to slow down in order for creativity to be born is a good thing for an individual. I don’t believe it can be done on a national or even global scale but you can never say never!

Also a lot of big words are used but very understandable. If you understand the meaning of the word it’s obviously more specific and detailed but if not it’s still a pretty reasonable listen.

Interesting

I was surprised to use this book to verify a suspicion that I had that by listening to books while I weld/work it was helping me weld better because I was able to focus due to the noise. I was also surprised to find a bit of ideological Info in here as well. It’s funny that companies are adopting a communistic approach through capitalism and it is stifling their creativity with the sigma six adoption. The capitalists have forgotten that the deviations that created them are the same ones that are keeping them at the forefront on their fields. I think some of the information disseminated in this book is things Elon musk has used in his approach. The analogies between idleness and Newton’s apple are spot on. I try to make sure my children are bored from time to time for this very reason. Creativity flows then. I hope this review helps.

Interesting facts

Would you listen to Autopilot again? Why?

Yes, it gives interesting facts about the brain

What other book might you compare Autopilot to and why?

Not sure

What about Kevin Free’s performance did you like?

He seemed personally invested by the way he spoke

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was fascinated and almost angered all at the same time. He tells people to work less. In my opinion this country was built off hard work. But I can see where lazy people could use this book as a basis for being lazy.

Amazing

Andrew weaves so many unique ideas together to show that our society might be better if we all just slowed down, took a break, and relaxed. Doing so would help with the current mental health crisis, obesity issues, and maybe even climate change. I enjoyed this book and I will be referring it to my friends and family.

fascinating subject, but a lot of jargon

This book covers a lot of subjects in an attempt to show the importance of giving your brain a chance to absorb some noise and reflect. It covers some chaos theory, some psychology experiments, economics, and neurological anatomy.

I felt a bit lost at times with the anatomy explanations, especially. Some diagrams or video would have been a big help.

Who would have thought

Who would have thought being idle could be a good in the long haul for the individual & the world?