Joshua Becker

One benchmark I use for evaluating the quality of non-fiction works involves how many insights/observations I logged on my trusty digital notepad. Becker’s book spurred me to jot down nearly 30 nuggets – a sum that skews higher than my average. I had not given much thought to the concept of “minimalism” before (I hadn’t read Becker’s earlier work). I found many of his ideas intriguing and even enlightening. I certainly understand why some reviewers were turned off by some of his notions (page 236, for example, contains this proclamation: “Don’t retire until you need to.”) While I don’t agree with some of the author’s contentions, I do relate to the book’s basic premise. Our lives are flooded with distractions – both obvious and not-so-obvious – and conquering these distractions can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. As a longtime journalist and communications professor, I was especially interested in Becker’s exploration of digital distractions, media consumption habits, “digital detox” and “tech-free zones.” I expect to touch on some of the author’s ideas in future media literacy classes. Overall, “Things That Matter” is an informational and highly readable book that lives up to its self-help label.… (mer)