The Forgotten Art of Being Ordinary: A Human Manifesto in the Age of the Metaverse

(Hardback)

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Description

Were addicted to our devices. Our kids are too. None of us seem to be better for it. We all know this, but what can we do practically to become less isolated, polarized, and disconnected

This book answers that question with a bold idea: In an age of personal brands and artificial intelligence, perhaps its time to relearn the forgotten art of being ordinary.

In his follow-up to Get Weird, writer and media producer, CJ Casciotta, outlines nine practical solutions and illuminates a better way to live in a culture addicted to media technology, a lifeboat for anyone who feels like theyre drowning in a sea of digital noise.

This is a book for those who are tired of feeling like technology owns them, their children, their politics, and their livelihood, a hopeful and realistic game plan for navigating the 21st century mindfully without losing their souls.

The future of our society will depend on the choices we make right now when it comes to our communication methods. Its a crisis as urgent as climate change, yet far fewer people are talking about it. The Forgotten Art of Being Ordinary will give you the language youve been looking for to start changing the conversation.

Reviews

"""Equally poetic and practical, this is a must-read for anyone whose job it is to navigate the role of media technologyin our lives . . . It answers the questions we've all been asking, and gets us to the future we all long for faster.""
Michelle Hord, former Executive, NBCUniversal, and Founder, Gabrielle's Wings

""Filled with bangers guaranteed to change the way we perceive and comprehend the content vortex we live inside today, The Forgotten Art of Being Ordinary is a guidebook full of hope and reason, spirit and sound arguments.""
Andrew McLuhan, Director of The McLuhan Institute

""CJ has the rare ability to crystallize hunches that many of us have. In his thoughtful prose, we are given language to help us make sense of our chaotic era . . . as well as the optimism and hope to do something about it.""
Kim Lear, Multigenerational Researcher & Founder of Inlay Insights

""A remarkably thoughtful reflection on our use of media (and its use of us), CJ has created the soulful successor to Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death for the metaverse age.""
Jelani Memory, Founder and CEO, A Kids Company About"

Author Bio

CJ Casciotta is a writer, media producer, and creative strategist. Seen by many as a trusted voice on 21st century cultural shifts, hes consulted and developed campaigns for presidential candidates, IPOs, startups, and Fortune 500s alike, partnering with companies like MGM Studios, Delta Airlines, Sesame Street, Lululemon, and The United Nations Foundation. As a media producer, he's collaborated on projects with leading culture-makers like Ira Glass of This American Life, Seth Godin, and FoodNetwork's Maneet Chauhan. A sought after communicator and TEDx alumnus, hes traveled globally speaking to creative professionals at venues like Creative Mornings, Charity:Water, and STORY. In addition, CJ's work has been featured by Forbes, Salon, CBS, MTV, and TechCrunch.