Some are obvious: who doesn’t check their Instagram or Facebook account after posting a picture to see who liked it? (or how many liked it?) Some are more insidious: when Netflix moved recently to an auto-play feature, viewers now have to decide to turn off the show rather than deciding to continue watching. Coupled with that, he examines the various strategies and technological feats that tech companies have used over the past decades to make their products more and more irresistible. He unpacks the psychology of addiction, in particular behavioral addiction. Alter makes the claim that vast numbers of humans in the developed world are behavior addicts (as opposed to substance addicts, like drug addicts). Rather than excoriate all technology or recommend that we give up our smartphones, iPads, and music streaming services, he looks instead at why we humans are “hooked” on these devices. One week later, I’d gotten the book from the library and read the entire tome.Īlter’s approach in this book is fascinating. “You HAVE to read this book! And then we must discuss.” My friend texted me a picture of this book along with that message, and then she promptly called me to hook me further. Recommended For: Parents! (and other adults who use technology).Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter.

Adam alter books