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lukaron's review against another edition
5.0
Very informative read of the nature of behavioral addictions, specifically regarding how they apply to common things such as addiction to smartphones, gaming, exercise, and other such behaviors which can have adverse effects on both us and the people around us. Highly recommend simply for the writing style of the author and the plethora of vignettes and sources he draws from to make his point.
megatsunami's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting but ultimately kind of failed to deliver on solutions. A lot of the book described how people who invent tech capitalize on human nature to make their tech more addictive, but none of the solutions addressed changes that could be made to the tech/ gaming industries.
dwlowman's review against another edition
2.0
What a vapid plod this was. Doesn't quite do what it says on the can. Meandering style and ambivalent opinions.
ingridboring's review against another edition
3.0
I actually enjoyed this in general it was interesting. However the blurb claims "this book will equip you with the tools and understanding you need to navigate our irresistible new world" and it absolutely does not. I have no tools to help me, but I feel very much in need of some having read this!
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one.
Why I read it:
I listened to the Joe Rogan Experience #1564 with [a:Adam Alter|6463598|Adam Alter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1489813701p2/6463598.jpg] as guest last week, and I was hooked - I knew I needed to read the book.
Reminded me of one of my favorite books of last year, [b:Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World|40672036|Digital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World|Cal Newport|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549433350l/40672036._SY75_.jpg|63988240].
This book was a little scattered - jumping around in thoughts and subjects. However, all of it was fascinating and interesting.
Will definitely incorporate the lessons of this book into my daily practices, while still continuing to practice what I learned from Digital Minimalism.
I feel, the most impactful portion of this book for me is the piece (about ¾ through the book) on habits. Having read lots of habit books, I appreciate what insights Alter has outlined.
All-in-all, excellent book.
I for one, have gone a couple years now with NO Facebook at all, Instagram on weekends only, and only using LinkedIn & Twitter off work hours.
4.3/5
Why I read it:
I listened to the Joe Rogan Experience #1564 with [a:Adam Alter|6463598|Adam Alter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1489813701p2/6463598.jpg] as guest last week, and I was hooked - I knew I needed to read the book.
Reminded me of one of my favorite books of last year, [b:Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World|40672036|Digital Minimalism Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World|Cal Newport|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549433350l/40672036._SY75_.jpg|63988240].
This book was a little scattered - jumping around in thoughts and subjects. However, all of it was fascinating and interesting.
Will definitely incorporate the lessons of this book into my daily practices, while still continuing to practice what I learned from Digital Minimalism.
I feel, the most impactful portion of this book for me is the piece (about ¾ through the book) on habits. Having read lots of habit books, I appreciate what insights Alter has outlined.
All-in-all, excellent book.
I for one, have gone a couple years now with NO Facebook at all, Instagram on weekends only, and only using LinkedIn & Twitter off work hours.
4.3/5
niniane's review against another edition
3.0
Insightful analysis of how product designers intentionally addict users. But it is mixed in with info based on a couple of one-sided interviews. It does not feel as thoroughly researched as The Power of Habit.
I suggest just going to read Power of Habit instead.
Still, this helped me see ways that I have gotten addicted to some behaviors in an unthinking manner.
I suggest just going to read Power of Habit instead.
Still, this helped me see ways that I have gotten addicted to some behaviors in an unthinking manner.
lcanale010's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on modern society and our user of technology. I especially enjoyed the way Alter infuses the results of scientific studies into his writing and forms new, valuable perspectives by synthesizing insights from them. Good read, and a topic that I think we're only just now beginning to acknowledge, let alone address, at the initial level. It'll be interesting to see what happens when this concept gets picked up by the masses (and when that actually happens, for that matter).