Jenny Odell

A distinguished voice in contemporary non-fiction, Jenny Odell is an American author whose work bridges the realms of art, technology, and mindfulness. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Odell's proximity to Silicon Valley has profoundly influenced her perspective on the digital age. Her academic background in visual arts from the University of California, Berkeley, coupled with her teaching position at Stanford University, has positioned her as an insightful commentator on the intersection of technology, art, and society. Odell's work is often informed by her interest in systems and structures, both natural and manmade, and how individuals navigate within them. Odell's seminal book, "How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy," published in 2019, garnered critical acclaim for its incisive critique of the pervasive digital attention economy. The book, praised for its thought-provoking exploration of the importance of disconnecting from the relentless demands of digital culture, became a New York Times bestseller. It encourages readers to reclaim their attention and engage more deeply with their immediate environment and community. Following this success, Odell released "Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock" in 2023, which further delves into the human relationship with time, challenging the commodification of time in contemporary society. This work continues her exploration of themes of resistance, presence, and consciousness in a fast-paced world. Odell's writing is characterized by its eloquent prose and profound insights, offering a reflective and often lyrical examination of modern life's complexities. Her thematic preoccupations with attention, time, and the environment have established her as a leading thinker in the discourse on digital culture and its impact on human experience. By advocating for a more intentional and mindful approach to life, Odell contributes not only to literature but also to a broader cultural conversation about how to live meaningfully in an increasingly connected world.