I spent £8.99 on a book about silence so you don’t have to

I spent £8.99 on a book about silence so you don’t have to

Erling Kagge’s book about silence has become a global bestseller, but is it worth the hype?

By Tim Gibson

Before we begin, let me make something plain. I like Norwegian explorer, writer and publisher Erling Kagge’s book about silence. I enjoyed reading it, which I did in one sitting after picking it up in a National Trust shop.

    ...the book is a reflection on the opportunity holding silence creates to gain perspective in a busy world.  

Silence: In the Age of Noise is just the sort of book that will grab a person’s attention during a weekend stroll around a historic property. Its cover says the book is a reflection on the opportunity holding silence creates to gain perspective in a busy world. For a noisy workaholic like me, that sounds like good medicine.

Drawing on his experiences as a polar explorer (Kagge was the first person to complete the astonishing feat of trekking to the North and South Poles as well as summiting Everest, the so-called “Third Pole”), Kagge weaves anecdote with some light-touch philosophical reflection and no small amount of psychobabble to create a narrative that is one part poetry to three parts self-help.

He certainly knows how to turn a phrase (presuming translator Becky L. Crook has been faithful to his original text). There are moments that could almost be beautiful, were it not for the fact that they are laden with portend.

Consider the following as a case in point: “Life becomes more exciting when emotions are given more space to play. I feel, and then I think, therefore I am.”

It’s a brace of well-hewn sentences, with a neat play on René Descartes’ famous cogito ergo sum dictum. But it encapsulates my reservations about this book, and others like it.

I spent £8.99 on a book about silence so you don’t have toFirst, it’s written in a heavily stylised way, almost as if the author is saying: “Look! What I’m saying is really important. It’s going to change your life. It’s deep, this. Read it and feel yourself transformed.”

Second, and more fundamental, I worry that writing of this ilk panders to the very dispositions it is seeking to critique. Kagge writes because he is interested in helping people go deeper into life, to live a more nourishing existence. But his engagement with philosophy, poetry, and even the lived experience of human beings rarely goes deeper than your average Facebook post.

When philosophers or other writers are mentioned, they are named in passing, sometimes with only their surnames being referenced and often with scant bibliographical detail (what “I can easily recall” reports the author in the final pages, before listing some brief references). If you want to learn more about Martin Heidegger, say, who appears at various points in the book, you’d do better to buy a primer on his work. At least that will get the details of his thought straight, resisting the rather pick-and-mix approach favoured by Kagge.

It’s not that Silence is a bad book, and nor do I doubt the author’s sincerity. But it could easily be mistaken for something it really isn’t: a piece of critical reflection that will enliven your intellect.

Consider the logical fallacy at its heart. A recurring theme is that silence cannot be commercialised. It can be enjoyed for free. But alongside that, Kagge makes frequent reference to the expensive silent retreats he’s enjoyed over the years. And let’s not forget the fact that his book, about silence being free, costs £8.99 and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

So there it is. Buy Silence if you want an easy read that’s cleverly crafted to make you feel as if you’re dwelling in the depths. But if you want a book that gets to grips with the challenge of finding peace in a busy world while displaying genuine intellectual heft, read Andy Merrifield’s The Wisdom of Donkeys instead. That’s what popular philosophy should look like.

© 2020 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 17 February 2020

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Why winter is the perfect time to barbecue

You may also enjoy: Once I discovered that “grass-is-greener syndrome” is a thing, I felt a thousand times happier about my restlessness

Jobs currently available

New job
Production Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £13.25 per hour
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk.
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: 913140
About the role

Just Temps is actively seeking to join a company based on the outskirts of Sudbury, Suffolk.

Working hours:

  • Monday to Friday.
  • 22.00 to 06.00.

Duties will include:

  • Picking and packing.
  • Lifting up to 25kg - this is a physical role with manual handling.
  • Working within the warehouse.
  • Mixing various products together.
  • Baking products.

Having your own transport is essential due to the location of the company and the hours involved.

General warehouse experience is required and training will be provided.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Environmental, Health and Safety Officer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913261
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded, long-standing manufacturing business within the Sudbury area - actively seeking a full-time, permanent Environmental, Health, and Safety Officer to join its team.

The key purpose of this role is to work with the site teams to provide expert advice, promote involvement and drive improvements to site safety culture and performance in compliance with all EHS, business conduct policies, guidelines, and the local site Life-Saving Rules at all times.

Key duties include:

  • Coordinate, develop and aid the implementation of the site’s EHS systems, to ensure it is fit for purpose, efficient and effective and in compliance with legislation (SSoW, Permit to Work, Near Miss Reporting, Job Hazard Analysis etc.), audits and inspections, environmental monitoring, health monitoring and industrial hygiene).
  • Develop site-specific EHS systems and EHS procedures meeting the requirements of U.K. legislation in line with the site's needs and organisational structure. Assess written and practised compliance against agreed standards via gap analysis, process confirmation and audit.
  • Be the on-site appointed person to advise on requirements for the shipment of dangerous goods and produce DGN’s as required.
  • Work with Occupational Health in coordinating the Site’s Health Surveillance Programme. Implement and manage a comprehensive Occupational Health Programme.
  • Coordinate risk assessments, COSHH assessments and PUWER assessments for the site to meet material and process requirements.
  • Maintain and review site legal register to ensure compliance with UK legislation.
  • Complete sustainability and product questionnaires as required.
  • Be site lead for ISO45001 OHSMS and ISO14001 EMS certification, delivering and coordinating the processes for the Management Systems across the site. Be site contact for external regulatory bodies. (HSE, Environment Agency, Local Authority).
  • Coordinate emissions monitoring and solvent management plan; submitting results to the Local Authority. Coordinate personal VOC, dust exposure monitoring, face-fit testing, DSEAR assessments and manage any resulting actions. Through monitoring, measuring, and advising, ensure site compliance under the LAPPC permit.
  • In conjunction with relative functions, you will be responsible for writing, reviewing, and amending standard operating procedures to ensure continual development of best practices.
  • Forms part of the site Emergency Team and is responsible for reviewing and maintaining the site emergency plan, investigating emergency situations, and participating in the recovery of such situations on-site during and outside normal working hours.
  • Identify EHS training needs and plan and provide training to pursue the achievement of improved EHS competencies and skills for all associates. Responsible for the coordination and completion of the Competency Assessment Schedule, ensuring that individual action plans are established.
  • Responsible for producing, implementing, and maintaining site inductions for contractors and new employees.
  • Responsible for compiling and submitting annual data for the UK business in compliance with packaging waste regulations.

Qualifications and experience:

  • IOSHH trained in Managing Safely.
  • Holder of NEBOSH General Certificate.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in Health and Safety in a manufacturing environment.
  • Experience in internal auditing and managing ISO14001 and ISO45001 standards is essential.
  • ADR, IATA, and IMDG trained, preferable, but not essential as training will be provided.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
  • Ability to engage with staff at all levels and achieve clear and concise two-way communication.
  • Developing personnel so that they have sufficient skills to meet the EHS objectives of the business.
  • Understanding of manufacturing environments and processes.
  • Recognised within the business as a champion of safety and environmental performance.
  • Ensure accurate record-keeping/document retention systems are kept in line with legal obligations.

This is an excellent opportunity, to lead the EHS function of the site. The role offers a competitive salary with great benefits as well as a stable, long-standing and friendly team environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £10.50 per hour
Location: Stanford-le-Hope, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: 1113015
About the role

Just Temps is seeking Warehouse Operatives to join a company based in Stanford-le-Hope.

Working hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 17.00.

Duties will include:

  • Unloading and loading of lorries and containers.
  • Using handheld scanners to pick and pack.
  • Working within the stores.
  • Other general warehouse duties.
  • Heavy lifting will be involved.

No experience is necessary for this role. Teamwork is paramount for this role.

This company really cares about its workforce and offers lots of opportunities to progress.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Marketing CRM Executive & Sales Support
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Salary: £25,000 - £27,000 per annum
Location: Haverhill
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913259
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a permanent Marketing CRM Executive & Sales Support role within a company located near Haverhill.

You will be responsible for supporting the Marketing Manager by setting up online marketing campaigns, focusing on social media, maintaining and updating the CRM system, supporting the Sales Team with CRM, merchandise sourcing, despatch, shows and customer visits.

Key responsibilities and duties will include:

  • Setting up and running the planned SEO digital and print marketing campaigns including Salesforce Account Engagement
  • Focussing on social media, SEO digital marketing, newsletters, and pay-per-click
  • Working with the sales team to create relevant content both domestically and internationally
  • Focussing on social media and digital marketing both domestically and internationally
  • Reporting on marketing campaigns and their return on investment to the Marketing Manager and Commercial Director
  • Visiting and attending trade shows and industry events to create content and support the sales team
  • Administering, monitoring and informing the sales team of all leads and enquiries acquired
  • Reporting on the conversion of enquiries and leads into sales achieved by the sales team
  • Administration duties as requested by the Marketing Manager
  • Supporting the sales team with the administration of the CRM system

Essential requirements:

  • Hands-on CRM system experience required – preferably Salesforce
  • A minimum of 2 year’s experience in a similar role
  • Ability to build and manage customer relationships
  • Experienced in content creation and the running of digital marketing campaigns
  • Professional, articulate and conscientious

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more