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Reviews
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter
maryquitecontrary_22's review
3.0
Irresistible reads like a Malcolm Gladwell book-- a lot of "a-ha's" and many interesting research studies explained to make a point. The text is about a lot more than the title makes it seem -- which can be a good thing, if you want a book about behavioral addiction across the board, or a bad thing, if you want a book focused solely on addiction to our devices. I found it to be a little misleading in that regard. In the end, it will make you think about the habits you've formed in relation to technology such as keeping your cell phone on your nightstand (ack, I've got to buy an alarm clock ASAP!)
savagemt's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Thought provoking, actionable, interesting. I believe the reach of addictive technology has only increased since this books release in 2017, making this even more of an important read.
trid1977's review
I was hoping for more about the algorithms of Facebook and how they are addictive. I've already read a few books on this topic. I might be addicted to the topic! At the half way o[point thru this book it's mostly been about drugs and gambling being addictive. So I looked ahead and couldn't see any chapters devoted to Facebook, or other social media. Next was Netflix encouraging binging practices. So I gave up.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
4.0
My friend, Keiko recommended this book to me. I like that the author gets material and sources that are different from his own. But I was surprised at the end, when the author suggested to do game theory, kinda seemed to go against his whole point. I enjoyed this book more than [b:Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave|15811497|Drunk Tank Pink And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave|Adam Alter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350363456l/15811497._SY75_.jpg|21554001]. Some of the material felt borrowed from that book or perhaps, it was from other books that I've been reading recently. They're all bleeding into one but I love this genre so no complaining here.
Notes:
A behavior is addictive only if the rewards it brings now are eventually outweighed by damaging consequences. An addiction is a deep attachment to an experience that is harmful and difficult to do without.
Obsessions and compulsions are close relatives to addiction. Obsessions are thoughts that a person can't stop having, and compulsions are behaviors that a person can't stop enacting. Addictions bring the promise of immediate reward of positive reinforcement. Obsessions and compulsions are intensely unpleasant not to pursue. They promise relief (negative reinforcement) but not the appealing rewards of a consummated addiction.
A label can encourage people to see a disorder everywhere. We all have them. Let's not pretend we don't.
The author compares our welcome to all the technology and social media to how cocaine was embraced over 100 years ago.
The most dangerous time for an addict is when things are going so well that you believe you've left the addiction behind forever.
Sleep deprivation is behavioral addiction's partner. The consequence of persistent over engagement.
Some addictions are hard to beat because the person wants it instead of just likes it. An unattainable romantic partner is is less likable but more desirable, which is why some people find emotionally unavailable partners alluring. I need to be aware of this trap.
Numbers pave the road to obsession.
The running streak association is funny. But I can get why it's so alluring. Streaks are King, like my 1,600+ day (at the time of this writing) streak for Duolingo. The heaviest cost of sustaining a streak is psychological.
I'm glad that I never played Candy Crush. Sounds like it's just a rip-off of Diamond Mine or Bejewelled.
Beginner's luck is addictive because it shows you the pleasure of success then yanks it away.
Most people prefer to be doing something than nothing even if that something is negative.
Incomplete experiences take up our mind more than complete experiences.
Notes:
A behavior is addictive only if the rewards it brings now are eventually outweighed by damaging consequences. An addiction is a deep attachment to an experience that is harmful and difficult to do without.
Obsessions and compulsions are close relatives to addiction. Obsessions are thoughts that a person can't stop having, and compulsions are behaviors that a person can't stop enacting. Addictions bring the promise of immediate reward of positive reinforcement. Obsessions and compulsions are intensely unpleasant not to pursue. They promise relief (negative reinforcement) but not the appealing rewards of a consummated addiction.
A label can encourage people to see a disorder everywhere. We all have them. Let's not pretend we don't.
The author compares our welcome to all the technology and social media to how cocaine was embraced over 100 years ago.
The most dangerous time for an addict is when things are going so well that you believe you've left the addiction behind forever.
Sleep deprivation is behavioral addiction's partner. The consequence of persistent over engagement.
Some addictions are hard to beat because the person wants it instead of just likes it. An unattainable romantic partner is is less likable but more desirable, which is why some people find emotionally unavailable partners alluring. I need to be aware of this trap.
Numbers pave the road to obsession.
The running streak association is funny. But I can get why it's so alluring. Streaks are King, like my 1,600+ day (at the time of this writing) streak for Duolingo. The heaviest cost of sustaining a streak is psychological.
I'm glad that I never played Candy Crush. Sounds like it's just a rip-off of Diamond Mine or Bejewelled.
Beginner's luck is addictive because it shows you the pleasure of success then yanks it away.
Most people prefer to be doing something than nothing even if that something is negative.
Incomplete experiences take up our mind more than complete experiences.