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 Universität 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.
RightN0w2
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills.
Jetta Talent
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
Blister
Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort.
Nola
The ability to listen to books while multitasking is a game-changer for me. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. 🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
CodeExia
🚗📚 Turn traffic into a literary escape – this app's functionality keeps me engaged while I'm on the move. 🚗🎧 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Thrasher
Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Wild Kitten
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Good-lookin’
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
CyberScribe
Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use.
Wooden German
ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. ListenBook has all the features I need in an audiobook app. My top choice! 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!
Tea Kettle
I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. 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.
Pink Nightmare
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Black Walnut
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Microwave Chardonnay
I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic – what a win! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
Darkside Orbit
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖
NexusNinja
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Fresh Peper
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
New Magoo
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Audiobook immersion without fuss – this app's ease of use is commendable. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. 🌟📚 ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey.
Hang 11
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
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