One of the best examples of an unreliable genre
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The self-help genre rightly attracts a lot of criticism; there are a lot of charlatans out there. 'Flow', however is a book which clearly stands out. Csikszentmihalyi speaks with tremendous authority, and his education clearly extends well beyond psychology. But most importantly the book isn't about providing false hope by offering miraculous quick fixes which don't work. The book is just about educating the reader, so they they may make their own informed decisions about how to improve their lives.
The author speaks to you with a very sympathetic tone. He presents a secular, liberal acccount, but what may come as a surprise is that there is quite a lot of moralising in the book. He seems to mention on what seems like every page how much of a waste of time it is to watch television. What he arrives at is hence an unapalogetic, scientifically proven 'elitism'. Studies show that people who spend their time contructively really do find more enjoyment in their lives than people who just drink and watch soap operas.
If you disagree with this sentiment, you would be advised to stay away from this book. Otherwise, this is a must read. The main theme of the book is the paradox of the increasing difficulty finding enjoyment and meaning in an increasingly wealthy and liberated society. As we go further and further in this direction, it's a book which will only get more and more relevant.
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Why is the one and two star reviews for this item not available?
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I want this book. I am going to by it, because I have heard a lot positive about it. But I would also like to read what the people who didn't like it have to say.
Why isn't the one and two star reviews for this item available?
Is it just a coindidence?
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A 'fluid' read
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Reading this book itself has been a 'flow' experience, which is a testament to Mr Csikszentmihalyi's (if that is not a mouthful, what is!) writing and his choice of the topic itself.
The book celebrates the cardinal importance of the quality of experience over conventional success metrics/ outcome norms that people pursue.
My key takeaways from the book are:
1) The 'flow zone' definition on the skills-challenges 2x2
2) The role of complexity and the modeling of 'dissipative structures' in creating order out of chaos (read psychic entropy)
3) The principle of the 'autotelic' self, and mindful challenge as the ultimate source of contentment
Written in a easy paced, intuitive style, this is a highly effective read.
PS: The 4 pronged classification of all the world's 'games': agon, alea, ilinx and mimicry is quite novel
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An important book for sports people
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Csikszentmihalyi IS the authority on this subject and as a keen rower I have always had an interest in The Flow or Zone as its known in sport. This book is also a vital resource for anyone with an interest in their sport and how to achieve a peak performance. I have always found it curious as to why when I'm in The Flow whilst rowing I feel euphoric and so complete. This book goes along way to explaining why. Roy Palmer's Zone Mind, Zone Body is an excellent companion to this book with its practical techniques to get into The Flow.
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Solid, fascinating, work
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I read Flow partically as a self-improvement book, and partially because several people involved in game design (particularly "Theory of Fun") recommended it.
It's really interesting. Solidly researched stuff by a proper psychologist looking into what makes people happier. And it's the same thing as makes a big difference to me at the end of a day by myself - if I've set myself clear goals of what to do, and I know whether or not I've met them, I feel a lot happier with myself than if I just potter around, even if I accomplish exactly the same thing.
Csikszentmihalyi (Chick-sent-mi-hal-yi)'s theory is that what makes people happy isn't simple pleasure, but the "flow" state they attain if:
- You're doing something they might succeed at
- You can concentrate on it
- You've got clear goals
- You know immediately whether you've won or lost
This state might not be immensely pleasurable at the time, but it makes you forget all your worries, and gives you a great sense of control.
And somehow, this managed to cover a 300-page paperback book saying this, and yet very little of it was wasted. It goes into great detail about how many different activities might produce this feeling (not least games, which are designed specifically to produce it). A real insight - and it explains why most of us want jobs which challenge and stretch us.
He only really goes off the boil at the end, when he suggests that in order to give life meaning (as a materialist, he does not believe it has one already) you choose something which gives you meaningful goals with clear feedback for your entire life. But preferably without choosing the goal of racial purity (or something similarly destructive). The worrying point is that it's just as possible to achieve flow doing something harmful as it is doing something good. He tries to follow Viktor Frankl ("There is no single meaning of life. The meaning of life is found moment by moment") but ends up with "There's only one way of life, and that's your own".
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