In these pages, the authors of the widely-acclaimed Wellness Syndrome throw themselves headlong into the techniques of self-optimization, a burgeoning Movement that seeks to transcend the limits placed on us as mere humans, whether the feebleness of our bodies or our mental incapacities.
Written in the form of two parallel diaries, Desperately Seeking Self-Improvement provides a biting analysis of the narcissism and individual competitiveness that increasingly pervades a culture in which social solutions are receding and individual self-improvement is the only option left..
Further, they produced a hilarious and eye-opening book based upon it.
Somewhat surprisingly, the two young professors survived this Year of rigorous research.
Andre even addressed a London subway car whilst (nearly) naked in an attempt to overcome a negative body image.
They wore head-bands designed to optimize sleep, and attempted to boost their memory through learning associative techniques (failing to be admitted to MENSA bit learning pi to 1,000 digits), trained for weightlifting competitions, wrote what they (still) hope might become a bestselling Scandinavian detective story, attended motivational seminars and tantra workshops, went on new-age retreats and man-camps, and experimented with sex toys and productivity drugs.
They had rarely seen the Inside of a gym, let alone utilized apps that deliver electric shocks in pursuit of improved concentration.
In fact, both proved themselves willing guinea pigs in an extraordinary (and sometimes downright dangerous) range of techniques and technologies, had hitherto undertaken little by way of self-improvement.
Carl thought Andre was only ``dialing it in,`` Andre felt Carl was too controlling.
Perhaps the trickiest was April, a month devoted to relationships, when their feelings for each other came under the microscope, with results that were both hilarious and painful.
June was for sex and September for money.
Cederstrom and Spicer, devoted each month of a roller coaster Year to a different way of improving themselves: January was Productivity, February their bodies, March their brains.
In these pages, the authors of the widely-acclaimed Wellness Syndrome throw themselves headlong into the techniques of self-optimization, a burgeoning Movement that seeks to transcend the limits placed on us as mere humans, whether the feebleness of our bodies or our mental incapacities
