Better Off

Eric Brende, an MIT graduate, and his wife Mary set out to find the smallest amount of technology a life requires. They gave up their car, their electric stove, their refrigerator, running water, and every other device that ran on a motor or drew power from the electrical grid. For eighteen months they lived in an isolated community whose tools are so basic that even the Amish regard them as old-fashioned.

The book recounts this real-life experiment, which tests whether cell phones, widescreen TVs, and SUVs truly make modern life easier or whether people would be better off without them. Brende blends scientific analysis with his personal account to show how living with less technology can reduce stress and waistlines while making room for happiness, health, and leisure.

This P.S. edition adds 16 pages of supplementary material, including author interviews and a list of recommended reading.