Successfully Slow
Ex-Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan wrote eight-five percent of his new book, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World, in the bath. It just goes to show that those who pooh-pooh our slow ways have got it wrong.
In 1971, Mr. Greenspan’s orthopedist advised him to take hot baths for a couple of months to heal a back injury. Clearly, Mr. Greenspan can afford the best in medical advice. I’m certain this sort of advice doesn’t come cheap.
The experience of being in the bathtub had such a beneficial effect on the ex-chairman that he continued the practice. In a BBC interview this week, he said he can write, read and think more effectively in the bathtub. He said it’s where he does his conceptual work best. Why is this not common practice? Perhaps the super successful keep it a slow secret.
I’m not sure if Mr. Greenspan has read our Slow Manifesto, but I suspect he discovered slow wisdom a long time ago. There is no proof that rushing about will turn your mind to mush. But at least some people admit to the healing power of the hot bath and slowing down.
I wrote this in the bathtub.