Book description
"[A] well-reasoned and eye-opening treatise . . . [Kohei Saito makes] a provocative and visionary proposal." --Publishers Weekly, (starred review) "Saito's clarity of thought, plethora of evidence, and conversational, gentle, yet urgent tone . . . are sure to win over open-minded readers who understand the dire nature of our global. . . . A cogently structured anti-capitalist approach to the climate crisis." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Why, in our affluent society, do so many people live in poverty, without access to health care, working multiple jobs and are nevertheless unable to make ends meet, with no future prospects, while the planet is burning? In his international bestseller, Kohei Saito argues that while unfettered capitalism is often blamed for inequality and climate change, subsequent calls for "sustainable growth" and a "Green New Deal" are a dangerous compromise. Capitalism creates artificial scarcity by pursuing profit based on the value of products rather than their usefulness and by putting perpetual growth above all else. It is therefore impossible to reverse climate change in a capitalist society--more: the system that caused the problem in the first place cannot be an integral part of the solution. Instead, Saito advocates for degrowth and deceleration, which he conceives as the slowing of economic activity through the democratic reform of labor and production. In practical terms, he argues for: the end of mass production and mass consumption decarbonization through shorter working hours the prioritization of essential labor over corporate profits By returning to a system of social ownership, he argues, we can restore abundance and focus on those activities that are essential for human life, effectively reversing climate change and saving the planet.
About the Author
Kohei Saito is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Tokyo. He received his PhD in philosophy from Humboldt UniversitΓ€t zu Berlin in 2016. He was awarded the 2018 Isaac Deutscher Memorial Prize, the most prestigious academic award for Marxian studies, making Saito its youngest recipient. In 2020 the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science awarded him the highly prestigious JSPS prize, awarded to the top 25 scholars in the entire country under the age of 45. In 2021, Slow Down received the "Best Asian Books of the Year" prize from the Asia Book Awards.
IdeaAlchemy
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Swan Mustang
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! The app is perfect for long commutes. It keeps me entertained for hours. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Miss Lucky
Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Dallas Burn
The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Foot-long Fry
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Swedish Twizz
Audiobooks have become my bedtime companions, soothing me into a peaceful sleep. π Making every moment count β this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! ππ«
Phoenix Sparrow
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. CUE playlist support is a thoughtful feature that keeps my audiobook listening organized and enjoyable. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! Listening stats feature keeps me on track with my audiobook goals. Love it!
Succubus In Training
π§ Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app β pure listening pleasure! ππ₯ Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. ππ§ The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition! Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Pixie
Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
California Goddess
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Gothic Gucci
ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Cooger
Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Divine Bramble
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯ π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ πͺ Flexing my reading muscles with this app's easy-to-use controls β I'm devouring books while managing my busy schedule. πΌπ ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Mud Pie Man
πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks!
Chlorine
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app!
Muzish
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. π This app's functionality is a masterpiece β it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. ππ¨ As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
Raid Bucker
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Delirium
Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Tabasco Dracula
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Dora the Destroyer
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. Looping playback helps me immerse myself in the content. It's my secret study weapon. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience