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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Irresistible summary
The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
19 mins
Brief summary
Irresistible by Adam Alter uncovers how technology has become addictive and how we can break free from our screens. It warns of the cost of technology on our relationships and mental states and offers practical solutions.
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Irresistible
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Key idea 1 of 8
You really can be addicted to your smartphone or video games.
How would you feel if you couldn’t use your smartphone for a day? How about an entire week? It’s not a scenario most of us enjoy contemplating; indeed, most of us start to get anxious if we’re separated from our device for just a few hours.
Unsettlingly, this modern relationship with phones has revealed a new type of addiction.
Perhaps you’ve asked yourself whether you’re spending too much time on your phone and not enough time with your friends and loved ones. If you have, you’re not alone. This is exactly what Kevin Holesh was thinking in 2014 when he developed a new app called Moment.
Moment’s purpose is to collect user data and determine exactly how much time people are spending glued to their mobile devices. While Moment’s users generally believe they spend around 90 minutes a day staring at their phone, the app reveals that people pick up their device roughly 40 times throughout the day and spend, on average, a total of three hours staring at it.
Guidelines for healthy use suggest spending no more than an hour a day on a phone, but 88 percent of Moment’s users far exceeded this limit.
Video games are another majorly addictive technology.
World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, has created an especially immersive and interactive virtual world that allows people to create their own avatar and embark on quests where they encounter other online users in real time.
Millions of users log in to this world every day, and, according to video-game specialist Jeremy Reimer, up to 40 percent of them become addicted.
As a result, treatment centers are popping up worldwide – such as ReStart, a facility near Seattle that was created as a joint venture between a psychologist and a computer programmer.
In the blinks that follow, we’ll take a closer look at the science behind addiction and what you can do to help keep yourself from getting hooked.
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What is Irresistible about?
Irresistible (2017) shows how dangerously dependent we’ve become on the smartphones, tablets, video games and social platforms that we’ve surrounded ourselves with. Is our attachment to these devices strictly related to the convenience they provide? Or have we actually grown addicted to the psychological rewards they offer?
Irresistible Review
Irresistible (2017) by Adam Alter explores how technology and our addictive behaviors are shaping our lives and society. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With compelling research and personal stories, it uncovers the powerful forces behind our tech addiction, revealing the impact it has on our well-being and decision-making.
- The book offers practical strategies to regain control over our digital lives, providing insights on how to create healthier habits and develop a more balanced relationship with technology.
- Through its thought-provoking analysis of our modern world, it exposes the hidden dangers of excessive technology use, keeping readers engaged and encouraging critical thinking.
Best quote from Irresistible
In the long run, our technology compulsions are directly damaging our health.
—Adam Alter
Who should read Irresistible?
- Psychology students
- Technology addicts
- Anyone looking to be more productive
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Irresistible FAQs
What is the main message of Irresistible?
The main message of Irresistible is about the addictive power of technology and how it affects our lives.
How long does it take to read Irresistible?
The estimated reading time for Irresistible is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Irresistible a good book? Is it worth reading?
Irresistible is worth reading as it provides valuable insights into the impact of technology on our behavior and offers strategies to regain control.
Who is the author of Irresistible?
The author of Irresistible is Adam Alter.
What to read after Irresistible?
If you're wondering what to read next after Irresistible, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Distraction Addiction by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
- A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century by Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein
- Alone Together by Sherry Turkle
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
- The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway
- ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson