Laziness Does Not Exist

{{Short description|2021 nonfiction book by Devon Price}}

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| author = Devon Price

| audio_read_by = Em Grosland

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| genre = Nonfiction

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| publisher = Atria Books

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| pub_date = 2021

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| isbn = 978-1982140106

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Laziness Does Not Exist is a 2021 nonfiction book by Devon Price.

Subject matter

In the book, Price attempts to "dispel as a societal myth" the "link between self-worth and productivity".

He analyzes television and film to demonstrate the history of the belief and interviews experts and acquaintances to explain the harm of overcoming laziness. Price also explains his thesis through the experience of being LGBT, referencing the career of Andrew Tobias.

Price claims that burnout is a more likely explanation for lack of productivity.

The book does not make claims that hard work is a bad thing.

Reception

The Financial Times says the book "is definitely worth a read" for those looking to understand why they aspire to a goal of productivity.

John Warner of the Chicago Tribune writes, "the exploration in the book is nuanced and thorough", also noting that objections to the premise are confronted clearly and gently.

Writing for Chicago Review of Books, Bessie Taliaferro says the book "upends the self-help books on our nightstands as well as in our minds". She highlights the book's offering of "escape from the “fitter, happier, more productive” mentality".

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite news

| url = https://www.ft.com/content/300df4ae-2fc8-47c3-8055-047d462c17a5

| title = FT Business Books: January edition

| date = January 6, 2021

| website = FT

| publisher = Financial Times

| access-date = 2023-09-25

| first1 = Andrew

| last1 = Hill

| first2 = Maria

| last2 = Noyen

| first3 = Isabel

| last3 = Berwick

| first4 = Janina

| last4 = Conboye

| first5 = Leo

| last5 = Cremonezi

| first6 = Emma

| last6 = Jacobs

}}

{{cite news

| last = Warner

| first = John

| author-link = John Warner (writer)

| date = Jan 19, 2021

| title = ‘Laziness Does Not Exist’: Loyola prof offers persuasive argument, says Biblioracle columnist John Warner

| department = Books

| url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-books-biblioracle-012-20210119-dlq6alzrlbgj3huscsm5q7jkfu-story.html

| work = Chicago Tribune

| access-date = 2023-09-25

}}

{{cite news

| last = Taliaferro

| first = Bessie

| date = March 5, 2021

| title = Provocative Self-Help in "Laziness Does Not Exist"

| url = https://chireviewofbooks.com/2021/03/05/laziness-does-not-exist/

| work = Chicago Review of Books

| access-date = 2023-09-25

}}

}}

Category:2021 non-fiction books

Category:American non-fiction books

Category:Atria Publishing Group books