The World Beyond Your Head

Matthew B. Crawford, with his rich academic background and practical experience in craftsmanship, emerges as an intriguing figure in contemporary thought. Crawford’s educational journey began with a major in physics, which laid the foundation for his analytical skills. However, his intellectual curiosity led him to explore the fields of political philosophy, which culminated in a PhD from the prestigious University of Chicago. This transition from the empirical to the philosophical reflects a deep engagement with both the material and conceptual dimensions of the world.

At the heart of Crawford’s intellectual enterprise is his role as a research fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. Here, he delves into the cultural studies that influence modern societal norms and individual behavior. His academic pursuits are complemented by his position as a contributing editor at The New Atlantis, where he explores the intersections of technology, society, and human capacity.

Also significant is Crawford’s practical engagement with the world as a motorcycle mechanic. This hands-on experience enriches his philosophical inquiries, grounding his thoughts in everyday reality and giving him a unique perspective on the value of manual work and the engagement it demands. This aspect of his life is not just a profession but a crucial counterpoint to his academic pursuits, which provides a tangible connection to the material world.

Crawford’s literary contributions include books that probe deep into the ethos of contemporary work and its impact on individual identity and society. Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work (2009) challenges the modern educational and economic paradigms that devalue manual competence and separate thinking from doing. This book stands out for its critical examination of how societal values have shifted away from craftsmanship to a more information-oriented economy, losing sight of the intrinsic rewards of manual work.

In The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction, Crawford explores the theme of individuality in contemporary society besieged by distractions. He offers a compelling argument about how modern life’s design—saturated with technology and constant stimulation—dilutes personal engagement with the world, which leads to a scattered sense of self. Through this work, he critically assesses how attention and focus are commodities that are increasingly manipulated by cultural forces, as he urges a return to more grounded, self-sufficient modes of being.

His most recent work, Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road (2020), further exemplifies his ongoing exploration of freedom and individuality, this time through the lens of driving. The book reflects on how driving encapsulates themes of agency, skill, and navigation in an increasingly automated world, as he advocates for the preservation of personal freedom against the backdrop of technological encroachment.

Overall, Crawford’s work offers a critique of modern capitalist societies, which reveals how the structures of work and technology not only shape our habits and perceptions but also our very identities. Through his unique blend of philosophical insight and practical experience, Crawford continues to challenge and inspire readers to rethink the value of engagement, the nature of work, and the formation of self in the contemporary world.