How to Disappear: Notes on Invisibility in a Time of Transparency - Akiko Busch

The title drew me instantly - 'how to disappear'. During these times (of extreme appear-ness), this book seemed like it was providing a solution to the affliction we as a human race seem to have acquired rather strongly. I am among the ones who is unable to deal with the feelings that follow - highly thin-skinned. So, I refuse to put myself out there. Mind you, I do want to share, and sometimes do have the impulse to 'post'. I ride it out, succumbing to it once in a blue moon. Busch is very clear, this obsession we have cultivated to be seen is not healthy or kind to us.

Busch's book is about the natural tendency living organisms have to not draw attention or to draw attention to only where you want to be seen. She explores the following words in-depth - self, invisible and identity. Let's start with invisible, which has its roots in malevolence which honestly is a perspective and an outdated paradigm. Invisible she says is 'escaping notice', its a feeling of unseen and, the best way to experience the feeling is to be underwater in an ocean or a sea where, 'you are present but not self-conscious'.

Identity and self and kind of wrapped (warped?) in each other - identity is transient and the self is not singular. Blows them mind, doesn't it. When you are told to find your'self' and be true to your 'self' and an identity is how you are recognised - I believe, the world is setting you up to feeling incomplete all your life. She explores it from an external and an internal perspective.

A book about the beauty of recognising the benefit of being unseen without it being labeled as - introvert, too pricey/righteous, not social, stalking, ghosting etc.

Some lines that stood out:

1. Lesser (visible to ourselves and the world) we are, the greater our sense of connection and our sense of humanity.

2. Much of our lives go away by trying to be ourselves.

3. Understanding how to disappear is part of understanding who we are.

4. You (human) are the place where the invisible becomes visible and expressive in some way - John O' Donohue

5. AWE

A book for the times, enjoyed reading her non-jarring prose of strongly waking us up to the ways of the invisible and the joys of disappearing.