Book description
A Next Big Idea Club Must Read of February 2025From the author of The Social Leap comes this thought-provoking exploration into humans' two core evolutionary needs, for connection and autonomy, how the modern world has thrown them out of whack, and how we can rebalance them to improve our lives.Why do people who have so much-leading comfortable lives filled with unprecedented freedom, choice, and abundance-often feel so unhappy and unfulfilled? This phenomenon is a defining paradox of our time and one we endlessly seek to solve. In The Social Paradox, psychologist William von Hippel argues that we need to think about this problem in a new way. By changing our perspective, we might finally see the solution, bringing us greater happiness and more satisfying relationships.The key is to understand the interplay between our two most basic psychological needs-for connection and autonomy. Evolution made us dependent on one another for survival, instilling in us a strong need to connect. It also made us seek autonomy, so our ancestors could distinguish themselves within their groups, improving their chances to procreate and gain status.These two opposing needs are our most fundamental psychological drivers, and while our lives once ensured a happy balance between them, the opportunities of today's world have thrown it out of whack. As von Hippel explains, our modern world no longer demands connection but it provides endless opportunity for autonomy; this lopsidedness lies at the root of many of our most intractable problems. Recognizing this imbalance and working to counter it can drastically change how we make decisions, spend our time, and find happiness.The Social Paradox invites us to examine the fundamental building blocks of life and society-politics, religion, urban living, marriage-in a brand-new way. Once we understand the evolutionary forces driving us, we can begin to see how to counteract the emptiness and loneliness of contemporary life.
Super Flick
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Metal Star
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I used to struggle to find time for books – now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Charms
Audiobooks have transformed my daily walks into a time of inspiration and learning. I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app.
Eerie Mizzen
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. 💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Nessie Pork
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠
Irish Dze
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. 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!
Steel Cut Toe
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
DragonBlood
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control.
Pearl Girl
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Hobo Samurai
🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true triumph. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Frosty Squid
The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Old Man Winter
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Coffee
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Station WMD
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
ThoughtTrail
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Atomic Blastoid
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Easy Sweep
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Alley Fiend
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
SereneScribe
🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers.
Granola Dove
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information. Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
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