Faster (Abridged): The Acceleration of Just About Everything Audiobook

" This book has become dated. Not a bad book overall. "

" The book was an interesting read, at least. It wasn't especially riveting or alternative from other books of its class, but it offered some peculiar (And generally true) anecdotes regarding time and the human treatment of it. At its best, it allowed me to pause and reflect on my own attitude and use of things such as watches, digital clocks, elevators, telescopes even. At its worst, it was dry and a moderate bore to labor through. "

" An OK book. It's written for a somewhat pop audience and contains few revelations. However there is an interesting section towards the end where he discusses the limits of speed and uses the example of the disabled "close door" buttons on newer skyscraper elevators which exist only so that people can press them and believe that they are causing the doors to close faster when they stay open for the same time regardless. "

" Gleick catalogs numerous ways in which western culture is driven by go, go, Go! Some meme are quite funny, and insightful. Others, upon self reflection, are sad. "So what," you might say after reading this book, just as I did. His conclusion, maybe lacking but I took away a few things. Every generation sees the symptoms of mania (rapid speech, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, hypersexuality, euphoria, impulsiveness, grandiosity, and increased interest in goal-directed activities) in themselves and the next generation. Living faster has not lived up to promise (more leisure time, whatever that means) but that's okay because we're about "our work". Time (as we track it, tick-tock) is a creation of man that can be traded, sold, stolen, purchased, etc. in the same way as other goods or services. "

" Some interesting tidbits, but it didn't really feel like I "learned" anything. It seemed like more of a confirmation that the busy-ness I feel is not my imagination. It was a good exploration of the "downsides" to technological advances that have speeded things up. "

" I couldnt help but get a little anxious, a little breathless reading this book. I plan to read 'In Praise of Slow' by Carl Honore as an antidote soon. "

" This is a really cool book that talks about the way things have sped up in today's society. From the way airports are run to the outsourced and automated calling systems, and even they way we keep track of time itself. "

" I found this an unsatisfying book. It covers an interesting subject and includes some good ideas and examples, but I found the structure confusing and also found it a bit repetitive. "

" This is the book where you begin to get a better appreciation of the link between technology, perception and psychology. Smart, well written and a provocative inquiry into the reality of speed and our addiction to it. "

" Pretty good...maybe it will make a connection to something else I like someday. "

" Okay, this will sound weird, but I wanted the book to move along more quickly. :) I did like the points that he was making, especially the one about the increased instability in the stock market and the one about humans and our natural inclination toward speed. "

" I read this during the Dot Com bubble, when I was working 12-16 hour days. It's what stopped me doing that. It's a nice meditation of the effects of a society which is increasingly precise and increasingly over loaded. "

" Food for thought. i've really enjoyed all of his books that I've read. "

" Excellent insights into current social/cultural issues generated by technological advances. Gleick is an engaging writer. If you enjoyed his book, CHAOS, you'll enjoy FASTER. "

" disturbingly accurate portrayal of the mind numbing speed of life as we embrace it in this technology driven world. i think i am stuck in the slow lane. "

" An optional-read book for knowledge workers and entrepreneurs on concepts and trends regarding technology. "

" Coherent and thought-provoking, though annoyingly repetitive "

" i can't say it's good... rather boring. "

" Less good than the information or chaos, mostly because of how dated it felt. Would still recommend as a good, generic gift. "

" The author makes some thought provoking points in the book. Unfortunately, these insights are surrounded by 200 pages of lackluster speculation about the 'good'ol days'. "

" ..almost the best book I've ever read. "

" I read this one while I was living in New York (and even wrote a little piece about how often people jab the "door close" button on the escalator to save themselves the 40 seconds of waiting for the next passenger). I ttly nderstood evrythng he ws syng. :) "

" (Reader's edition: isbn 0676 58998 7) A modernization of Toffler's Future Shock, without the impact of Toffler's style, and that of a totally new concept. "

" Some interesting tidbits, but it didn't really feel like I "learned" anything. It seemed like more of a confirmation that the busy-ness I feel is not my imagination. It was a good exploration of the "downsides" to technological advances that have speeded things up. "

" Likes: Some interesting examples of the hurried pace of Western lifestyles. Dislikes: Opinionated ramblings without any explanation or defense of the opinion. Like listening to an old man complain about how the world has changed. "

" Only read this book if you are interested in specifics of how our lives through technological changes & societal transformations have speed up (primarily from a Western perspective). Other than that this book does not provide much and I don't think it was written in an engaging way either. "