Notes on a Nervous Planet audiobook cover - Build your very own twenty-first-century survival kit

Notes on a Nervous Planet

Build your very own twenty-first-century survival kit

Matt Haig

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Health & NutritionMindfulness & Happiness

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Notes on a Nervous Planet
The Problem with Modernity+
The Consumerist Trap+
Individual Coping Strategies+
Societal Solutions+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
According to the text, what is a primary reason the rapid advancement of technology causes so much stress for humans?
  • A. Human biology and basic needs have not evolved at the same pace as modern technology.
  • B. The cost of upgrading devices every year puts immense financial strain on the average person.
  • C. Computers are now taking over complex jobs, leaving humans without a sense of purpose.
  • D. The radiation emitted from modern smartphones directly alters human brain chemistry.
Question 2 of 10
How does the author suggest individuals deal with the overwhelming excess of information and choices in modern life?
  • A. By consuming information faster through skimming and speed-reading techniques.
  • B. By organizing choices into detailed spreadsheets to make highly logical decisions.
  • C. By actively taking things away and focusing on a few important tasks.
  • D. By delegating digital responsibilities to automated apps and virtual assistants.
Question 3 of 10
Why do news outlets and social media platforms often focus on shocking or catastrophic content?
  • A. Because negative news is significantly easier and cheaper to produce than positive news.
  • B. Because they know that anxiety and worry are highly effective at keeping users clicking and scrolling.
  • C. Because social media algorithms are naturally biased toward identifying global security threats.
  • D. Because journalists are legally required to report on all global emergencies.
Question 4 of 10
What was the result of the Swedish hospital experiment that reduced nurses' shifts from 8 to 6 hours?
  • A. The hospital faced severe understaffing and had to revert to the old schedule.
  • B. The nurses were healthier and happier, but overall productivity declined.
  • C. The nurses were measurably healthier, happier, and more productive.
  • D. The nurses used the extra time to take on second jobs, negating the health benefits.
Question 5 of 10
What surprising fact does the author share regarding the fear of aging?
  • A. People in their twenties spend more money on anti-aging products than any other demographic.
  • B. The people who worry the least about getting old are older people themselves.
  • C. Men experience significantly more anxiety about aging than women do.
  • D. The fear of aging only exists in Western cultures due to media portrayals.
Question 6 of 10
In the book, the author introduces the concept of a 'psychogram' to help readers do what?
  • A. Measure the precise amount of time spent on social media each week.
  • B. Track the number of steps taken to ensure adequate physical activity for mental health.
  • C. Calculate the financial cost of impulse purchases driven by online advertising.
  • D. Visualize and weigh the mental impact of stressful occurrences throughout the day.
Question 7 of 10
Why do modern marketing experts often rely on the concept of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)?
  • A. Because a customer who is already happy and content is less likely to buy new products.
  • B. Because government regulations require companies to disclose the potential risks of their products.
  • C. Because consumers have become immune to positive, uplifting advertising campaigns.
  • D. Because FUD helps build long-term brand loyalty and trust among younger demographics.
Question 8 of 10
How does the text challenge the philosophy of René Descartes regarding human health?
  • A. It argues that Descartes placed too much emphasis on emotional intelligence rather than logic.
  • B. It refutes Descartes' idea that the mind and body are entirely separate entities.
  • C. It supports Descartes' belief that physical illness is solely a product of the imagination.
  • D. It claims Descartes misunderstood the role of the environment in shaping human behavior.
Question 9 of 10
According to the text, what is an unintended consequence of calling someone 'brave' for speaking out about their depression?
  • A. It minimizes the severity of physical illnesses by comparison.
  • B. It encourages people to overshare personal details on the internet for attention.
  • C. It perpetuates the harmful stigma that mental illness is something shameful that should normally be hidden.
  • D. It places too much pressure on medical professionals to find immediate cures.
Question 10 of 10
What specific, actionable advice does the author give at the end of the text to help give your inner world a break?
  • A. Delete all social media accounts permanently.
  • B. Turn off all notifications, banners, and pings on your device.
  • C. Leave your smartphone in another room while you sleep.
  • D. Limit your internet usage to only one hour per day.

Notes on a Nervous Planet — Full Chapter Overview

Notes on a Nervous Planet Summary & Overview

Notes on a Nervous Planet (2018) is a compassionate guide on how to stay happy and healthy in the messy, modern world. Drawing on personal experience, author Matt Haig explores how technology can exacerbate stress, depression and anxiety, and presents ways to guard against this.

Who Should Listen to Notes on a Nervous Planet?

  • People suffering from anxiety, depression and panic disorder
  • Anyone who just can’t put their phone down
  • Parents, educators and coaches interested in responsible technology use

About the Author: Matt Haig

Matt Haig is a British journalist and author who has written over 20 fiction and non-fiction books for both children and adults. His memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive, details his struggle with depression and was a number-one Sunday Times best-seller in the United Kingdom. His children’s books have been translated into over 25 languages.

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