The Problem of Distraction

We live in an age of distraction. Contemporary analyses of culture, politics, techno-science, and psychology insist on this. They often suggest remedies for it, or ways to capitalize on it. Yet they almost never investigate the meaning and history of distraction itself. This book corrects this lack of attention. It inquires into the effects of distraction, defined not as the opposite of attention, but as truly discontinuous intellect. Human being has to be reconceived, according to this argument, not as quintessentially thought-bearing, but as subject to repeated, causeless blackouts of mind. The Problem of Distraction presents the first genealogy of the concept from Aristotle to the largely forgotten, early twentieth-century efforts by Kafka, Heidegger, and Benjamin to revolutionize the humanities by means of distraction. Further, the book makes the case that our present troubles cannot be solved by recovering or enhancing attention. Not-always-thinking beings are beset by radical breaks in their experience, but in this way they are also receptive to what has not and cannot yet be called experience.

Literature & Fiction

North, Paul

History & Criticism

Stanford University Press

We live in an age of distraction. Contemporary analyses of culture, politics, techno-science, and psychology insist on this. They often suggest remedies for it, or ways to capitalize on it. Yet they almost never investigate the meaning and history of distraction itself. This book corrects this lack of attention. It inquires into the effects of distraction, defined not as the opposite of attention, but as truly discontinuous intellect. Human being has to be reconceived, according to this argument, not as quintessentially thought-bearing, but as subject to repeated, causeless blackouts of mind.The Problem of Distraction presents the first genealogy of the concept from Aristotle to the largely forgotten, early twentieth-century efforts by Kafka, Heidegger, and Benjamin to revolutionize the humanities by means of distraction. Further, the book makes the case that our present troubles cannot be solved by recovering or enhancing attention. Not-always-thinking beings are beset by radical breaks in their experience, but in this way they are also receptive to what has not and cannot yet be called experience.

The Yield: Kafka's Atheological Reformation (Meridian: Crossing Aesthetics)

The Yield is a once-in-a-generation reinterpretation of the oeuvre of Franz Kafka. At the same time, it is a powerful new entry in the debates about the supposed secularity of the modern age. Kafka is one of the most admired writers of the last century, but this book presents us with a Kafka few will recognize. It does so through a fine-grained analysis of the three hundred "thoughts" the writer penned near the end of World War I, when he had just been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Since they were discovered after Kafka's death, the meaning of the so-called "Zürau aphorisms" has been open to debate. Paul North's elucidation of what amounts to Kafka's only theoretical work shows them to contain solutions to problems Europe has faced throughout modernity. Kafka offers responses to phenomena of violence, discrimination, political repression, misunderstanding, ethnic hatred, fantasies of technological progress, and the subjugation of the worker, among other problems. Reflecting on secular modernity and the theological ideas that continue to determine it, he critiques the ideas of sin, suffering, the messiah, paradise, truth, the power of art, good will, and knowledge. Kafka's controversial alternative to the bad state of affairs in his day? Rather than fight it, give in. Developing some of Kafka's arguments, The Yield describes the ways that Kafka envisions we can be good by "yielding" to our situation instead of striving for something better.

The Yield is a once-in-a-generation reinterpretation of the oeuvre of Franz Kafka. At the same time, it is a powerful new entry in the debates about the supposed secularity of the modern age. Kafka is one of the most admired writers of the last century, but this book presents us with a Kafka few will recognize. It does so through a fine-grained analysis of the three hundred "thoughts" the writer penned near the end of World War I, when he had just been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Since they were discovered after Kafka's death, the meaning of the so-called "Zürau aphorisms" has been open to debate. Paul North's elucidation of what amounts to Kafka's only theoretical work shows them to contain solutions to problems Europe has faced throughout modernity. Kafka offers responses to phenomena of violence, discrimination, political repression, misunderstanding, ethnic hatred, fantasies of technological progress, and the subjugation of the worker, among other problems. Reflecting on secular modernity and the theological ideas that continue to determine it, he critiques the ideas of sin, suffering, the messiah, paradise, truth, the power of art, good will, and knowledge. Kafka's controversial alternative to the bad state of affairs in his day? Rather than fight it, give in. Developing some of Kafka's arguments, The Yield describes the ways that Kafka envisions we can be good by "yielding" to our situation instead of striving for something better.

American Steam Locomotives retells the whole, fascinating story from the very first experiments with steam in ancient Egypt to the steam locomotives of this century.

American Steam Locomotives

GALLERY BOOKS

Road Runner: A Source Book

Bookthrift Co

This book covers the whole story, from the first 4-4-2 in 1964 thru to the 1980 model.

4-4-2 (Four Four Two), Volume II (2): A Source Book

Reference

Motorbooks, International

Kit Cars: A Source Book

Motorbooks Intl

Safe and Sound.: A story about a little girl who overcomes fear.

A delightful story of a young girl who, with the help of her parents, clinicians and pet cat, learns to overcome fear and embrace life. Based on the acclaimed scientific work of Dr Stephen Porges, (arguably the world's leading neuroscientist), this book provides a model by which parents and teachers can help children navigate the challenges of life, in a helpful, scientifically valid and trauma informed way

Children's Books

So, Lydia

Growing Up & Facts of Life

Inspiring Publishers

Safe and Sound.: A story about a little girl who overcomes fear. A delightful story of a young girl who, with the help of her parents, clinicians and pet cat, learns to overcome fear and embrace life. Based on the acclaimed scientific work of Dr Stephen Porges, (arguably the world's leading neuroscientist), this book provides a model by which parents and teachers can help children navigate the challenges of life, in a helpful, scientifically valid and trauma informed way

Australian Self-publishing group

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by North, Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by North, Paul

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by North, Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Problem of Distraction

The Problem of Distraction

The Yield: Kafka's Atheological Reformation (Meridian: Crossing Aesthetics)

The Yield: Kafka's Atheological Reformation (Meridian: Crossing Aesthetics)

American Steam Locomotives

Road Runner: A Source Book

4-4-2 (Four Four Two), Volume II (2): A Source Book

Kit Cars: A Source Book

Safe and Sound.: A story about a little girl who overcomes fear.

Safe and Sound.: A story about a little girl who overcomes fear.