The Introduction begins with an anecdote about John McPhee, a renowned writer for The New Yorker. In 1966, McPhee spent two weeks lying on a picnic table in his backyard, grappling with how to structure a complex article about the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. This period of deep contemplation eventually led to a breakthrough in his writing process.

Newport uses this story to illustrate a contrast with the current state of knowledge work, which he describes as increasingly frantic and overwhelming. He notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a growing backlash against productivity culture among knowledge workers. This sentiment was reflected in several books published during this period that criticized conventional notions of productivity.

The author also mentions social trends that emerged during the pandemic, such as the Great Resignation and “quiet quitting,” which further highlighted workers’ dissatisfaction with demanding work environments. The Great Resignation was a mass exodus of workers leaving their jobs for better opportunities or lifestyle changes, and “quiet quitting” involved employees doing only the minimum required work, rejecting the idea of going above and beyond in their jobs.