In this collection of immersive essays, A.J. Jacobs subjects himself to a series of month-long lifestyle overhauls to observe their impact on his personality and relationships. He practices radical honesty by vocalizing every internal thought, follows a strict regimen of outsourced labor by hiring a team in Bangalore to manage his personal emails and arguments, and adopts the heavy-handed leadership style of George Washington. Other experiments involve radical unitasking, posing as a movie star, and strictly adhering to the dictates of various health and behavioral frameworks.
Curious readers and fans of participatory journalism find utility in these accounts of trial and error. The book appeals to people interested in behavioral psychology who prefer anecdotal evidence over abstract theory. Readers see how specific social and ethical philosophies function when applied to modern, domestic life. By the end, the audience understands the friction between high-minded ideals and the mundane realities of marriage and work, walking away with a realistic perspective on the difficulty of self-improvement.
Clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
