Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked

by Adam Alter

In “Irresistible,” social psychologist Adam Alter explores the causes and alarming effects of our growing addiction to technology. About half of the Western population has developed at least one behavioral addiction owing to the digital age. Many people waste hours of their day on social media or video games, binge-watching, or excessive online shopping. And even healthy activities, such as sports, are practiced too intensively due to addictive fitness trackers.

The increasing domination of our lives by technology puts a strain on our mental and physical health – sleep disorders and depression can be the result. Children and teenagers, who are much less able than adults to anticipate the long-term effects of their actions, suffer in particular. Many have difficulty building genuine interpersonal relationships due to their excessive smartphone use.

But how do these behavioral addictions form? The cause is primarily the technology companies, which intentionally design their products so we can no longer put them down. Facebook and Instagram, for example, only became what they are today through the invention of the “Like” button. Binge-watching didn’t become a problem until streaming providers started automatically continuing series rather than at the touch of a button. And gambling games captivate players by making the player “almost win” instead of lose.

How can we take back control of technology and our lives? The first step is to recognize a behavioral addiction that may already exist and understand the addictive factors of technology. Then we can take countermeasures – by adjusting our behavior, with professional, psychological help if necessary, but also through technology itself: You can, for example, install the browser plugin “Demetricator” to hide all Facebook metrics. Ultimately, living without technology is impossible in our world, but we can find a balance between its advantages and disadvantages.

The book is easy to read and, with numerous case studies, entertaining and, at the same time, evocative. A recommendation for anyone who feels that technology already dominates their lives or those of their children, or could do so in the future.

🎧 Suitable as an audiobook? Yes!

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Genres

Technology Psychology Behavioral Economics Business Strategy Digital Marketing Neuroscience Human Behavior