A LIVE ONLINE CONVERSATION WITH DEVON PRICE

Laziness Does Not Exist

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Like many Americans, social psychologist Devon Price believed that productivity was the best way to measure self-worth. Dr. Price was an overachiever from the start, graduating from both college and graduate school early, but that success came at a cost. After Dr. Price was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia and heart complications from overexertion, they were forced to examine the darker side of all this productivity. 

Dr. Price began a thorough examination of what they call the “laziness lie”—which falsely tells us we are not working or learning hard enough. Their in-depth research revealed that people today do far more work than nearly any other humans in history, yet most of us still feel we are not doing enough.  

In their latest book, Laziness Does Not Exist, Dr. Price explores the psychological underpinnings of the “laziness lie,” including its origins in the Puritan era of history, and how the lie has continued to proliferate as digital work tools have blurred the boundaries between work and life. Dr. Price offers science-based reassurances that productivity does not determine a person’s worth and suggests that the solution to the problems of overwork and stress can be found in resisting the pressure to do more, and instead learning to embrace doing enough. 

Join Dr. Price in conversation as they encourage us to let go of guilt, become more attuned to our own limitations and needs, and resist the pressures to meet outdated societal expectations. 
 
Please note that this conversation will be hosted live online and includes an audience Q&A. Instructions on how to join the conversation will be included in your event confirmation email. If you need additional assistance finding or joining the event, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu. 

Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, writer, activist, and professor at Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Price’s work has appeared in numerous publications such as the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Slate, The Rumpus, NPR, and HuffPost and has been featured on the front page of Medium numerous times. They live in Chicago, Illinois.