Oliver Burkeman's 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals (2022) is our pick for our monthly book club. We loved how it made us think about our modern drive to master time and efficiency, and how this debilitates human happiness. Rethinking our lives and our use of time means more time for flourishing, games, and play, even if we don't get everything done (because we never will). We explore the concept of time and our relationship with it, highlighting the illusion of time management and the artificiality of modern time. We also discuss the idea of embracing our limits and the futility of trying to battle against time. Overall, the book challenges the notion that we can control time and encourages a deeper reflection on how we spend our limited time on Earth. It delves into the flawed attempts to be efficient and the instrumentalization of time in modern society. The conversation also highlights the importance of living in the present moment and the dangers of constantly living for the future. It discusses the measurement of time and how it contributes to impatience and restlessness. The conversation draws from various spiritual traditions and emphasizes the need to let go of future expectations. It explores the joy of settling and the joy of missing out, as well as the pressure to choose a path and the depth of commitment. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of focusing on the next step rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity. We emphasize the need to make time for play and challenge societal expectations that prioritize work over play. We explore the idea that play is an end in itself and can resist the Protestant work ethic. We also discuss the value of hobbies and the role of play in grounding us in the present moment. Finally, we reflect on the importance of using our time and talents well to make life more luminous for others. Takeaways Embrace the nature of time and avoid trying to make it something it's not. Beware of the dangers of efficiency as an idol and the instrumentalization of time. Learn to live in the present moment and let go of future expectations. Develop a curiosity and openness towards challenges and problems. Settle and commit to a path, finding joy in depth and commitment. Break down projects into smaller steps and focus on taking the next right step. Make time for play and challenge societal expectations that prioritize work over play. Recognize that play is an end in itself and can resist the Protestant work ethic. Engage in hobbies and embrace the value of weird and unique interests. Use your time and talents well to make life more luminous for others. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Battle with Time 03:13 Lent and Time 08:23 Animals and Time 11:27 The Illusion of Time Management 13:29 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals 19:36 The Artificiality of Time 21:20 The Battle with Time 22:43 Embracing the Nature of Time 23:19 The Flawed Attempt of Efficiency 24:26 The Instrumentalization of Time 25:33 Living for the Future 26:37 The Present Moment 27:31 The Measurement of Time 28:38 Impatience and Restlessness 29:52 Expectations and Frustrations 30:50 Drawing from Spiritual Traditions 31:47 Letting Go of Future Expectations 32:28 The Joy of Settling 35:20 The Joy of Missing Out 36:42 The Pressure to Choose a Path 39:38 The Depth of Commitment 40:55 Focusing on the Next Step 41:47 Taking the Next Right Step 42:21 Breaking Down Projects into Smaller Steps 43:04 Making Time for Play 43:35 Play as an End in Itself 44:02 Letting Go of Societal Expectations 45:18 The Importance of Hobbies 46:16 The Present Moment in Play 47:26 Resisting the Protestant Work Ethic 48:37 The Value of AT-like Activities 49:24 Embracing Weird Hobbies 56:56 Using Time and Talents Well CALL TO ACTION: - Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) - Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) - Interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) - Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ) - Chat with us on Wavelength (iOS and MacOS and iPadOS only) (https://wavelength.app/invite/AGSmNhIYS5B#ABhy7aXOO04TO6HTS4lelw--)
