Book Review & Giveaway: NEW

DenaJanuary 11, 2012

evolutionyou.net | NewWhy do we—human beings—crave newness? What propels us toward bigger, better, faster, stronger? How did we end up in this time of unprecedented change, where the new information we handle daily has quadrupled in the past thirty years, with no sign of slowing?

In her book—NEW—behavioral science writer, Winifred Gallagher, sets out to answer these questions. Recently, my friends at TLC Book Tours asked me to review NEW and my ever-inquiring mind was delighted.

The book fell into my lap at just the right moment. The ideas of newness, change, and flexibility have been consuming me of late. We each have to make a decision. We can cling to what we know, rigidly and in fear. Or, we can practice flexibility and embrace change. NEW explores these ideas and explains why change is a critical part of our human selves. The entire first chapter is dedicated to exploring human evolution—from our earliest primitive ancestors to our nearest relatives—how did we get this way? Our scientific history shows that those who could adapt to change survived. Those who could not adapt perished.

Our unique human brains are biologically primed to engage with and create novelty, from our ancestors’ first bow and arrow to the latest tablet computer. Our “neophilia” (love of newness) has enabled us to thrive in a world of cataclysmic change, but today we confront an unprecedented deluge of new things—from products to information. To prevent our great strength from becoming a weakness in today’s fast-paced world, we must reconnect with neophilia’s grand evolutionary purpose: to help us learn, create, and adapt to new things that have real value and dismiss the rest as distractions.

So, how do we accomplish this great task? How do we continue to embrace change and avoid complete overwhelm? Gallagher says that the answer is two things—selectivity and balance. This advice speaks to me on a deep level. Selectivity & Balance—that we may be so careful in choosing how we invest our time, energy and emotion. (I’ve written in detail on this topic. See: Cut the Fat Transform Your Life.)

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I’ll be giving my copy away to one lovely reader. If you’re interested, leave a comment below. Be sure to include your email. I’ll select a winner at random next week. (US readers only. International shipping fees are bonkers!)

In love & light,
Dena

Comments (3)

  • Ashley Lorelle

    January 11, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Wow, that books sounds like its full of great information. I would love a copy.

    arieflin@me.com

  • Anonymous

    January 11, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    As we live in the whirlwind of technology, our minds just whiz past all the toys without really comprehending them. We jump at the newest techie whizzy thing and don’t even learn enough about it until we’re on to the next new thing. I read a daily comic called Rudy Park that deals humorously with this subject and sometimes I laugh at the characters and sometimes I laugh at myself because I see myself in the characters.

    We have to slow down a bit and indeed be a bit more selective with our time and talents so we can make better choices and balance our lives with the best of the new and the best of the past.

  • Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours

    January 13, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    I think if we all could apply some “selectivity and balance” in our lives, we’d all be a great deal better off! I’m glad this book found you at the right time. Thanks for being a part of the tour! 

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