User Profile

I think Johann Hari did a great job at researching and covering the topic of how the way we currently live in the modern world does a great deal of harm to our minds. We are addicted to the constant flow of information, miserable, often unable to focus on tasks and involuntarily reaching for our smartphones for the so much craved shots of dopamine. It turns out that it's not really an individual issue anymore. In part thanks to our consumerist society, social media giants, food companies, pharmaceutical industry etc. which all have a financial incentive to have the world this way + other environmental factors outside of our control, it's impossible to come out clean out of this mess. As the author states, there isn't a simple solution to this problem. However, there are still certain strategies and techniques that you as an individual can employ to stay happy, healthy and actually focused on what's important, which are also covered here.

The book isn't exactly perfect. Still, in my opinion, more attention should be given to the issues presented in this work. I feel how on personal level it's harder for me to just stop looking at social media or youtube (all of which actually became less social are more like platforms for advertising) and do things that actually matter. I notice that others experience a similar thing themselves and this book is a great start to actually notice and understand the problem. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Carrying on the legacy of "The Tatami Galaxy", "The Night is Short, Walk on Girl" is yet another of Tomohiko Morimi’s masterfully crafted novels telling an absurd and magical story of a university student living a quite miserable life of his own in Kyoto. This time however, the story is told from two perspectives – one of our protagonist, and the other one of a black-haired maiden, the target of protagonist’s secret affections. There are many fantastical and bizarre things that happen to our couple throughout the book. Elements of witty humour, Japanese culture, total absurdity, amusing coincidences, philosophy and romance clash together to produce this beautiful novel. The city of Kyoto is described in great detail. Every character is an extremely fascinating individual with their own unique quirks, traits and problems, elevating the story and saturating its colours.

As our couple constantly cross paths with each another, a brave and fortunate gal discovering adulthood and an often unlucky but dedicated guy, who slowly tries to fill the moat to her crush’s heart, to strike at the right time that never comes, will they ever manage to fell into each another’s arms? Seems like the universe will try everything to prevent them from doing that, but at the end of the day there’s nothing else but “Do all you can and then wait for providence”.