40 pages • 1 hour read •
Irresistible
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Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Penguin Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked (2017) by Adam Alter examines how smartphones, video games, and social media can become addictive, leading individuals to neglect their duties and relationships. Alter discusses the impact of technology on sleep, productivity, and mental health, illustrating that consistently engaging with these technologies can lead to dependency. The book proposes solutions for managing and reducing screen time, including substituting offline hobbies.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
14,042 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Adam Alter's Irresistible explores the grip of addictive tech on modern life. Reviews commend its insightful analysis and accessible writing. Critics note its repetitive points and lack of novel solutions. Overall, it's an eye-opening read, shedding light on digital dependency, though it may feel redundant to well-versed readers.
Who Should Read Irresistible?
A reader who would enjoy Irresistible by Adam Alter is likely intrigued by the psychology behind technology addiction. Fans of Hooked by Nir Eyal or The Shallows by Nicholas Carr will find this book insightful. Ideal for those interested in behavioral science, technology’s impact on society, and self-help strategies for a balanced digital life.
14,042 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Isaac Vaisberg
Isaac Vaisberg
Vaisberg is a young man who struggled with an addiction to the online game World of Warcraft and eventually sought treatment, illustrating how anyone can be affected by behavioral addiction.
Stanton Peele
Stanton Peele
Peele is a psychologist from the 1970s who demonstrated that addiction is a destructive form of attachment, a concept used by Alter in the book.
Bennett Foddy
Bennett Foddy
Foddy is a game designer and professor cited by Alter as an expert on the ethics of game design, known for creating games driven by a passion for the craft.
Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto
Miyamoto is a renowned video game creator, known for Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon, who designs games out of love for the craft rather than to entice players.
Alexey Pajitnov
Alexey Pajitnov
Pajitnov is the Russian creator of Tetris, which features a difficulty curve central to the concept of escalation discussed in the book.
Michael Larson
Michael Larson
Larson is known for winning a game show prize and losing it on a scheme, used as an example of the dangers of endless goal-setting.
Cosette Rae
Cosette Rae
Rae is a founder of the reSTART internet treatment facility, which is referenced frequently throughout the book.
Irresistible by Adam Alter explores the psychological triggers behind our technology and media consumption habits, emphasizing how certain design elements can lead to addictive behaviors.
Alter highlights how tech companies study gambling and slot machines to learn methods of capturing user attention, effectively creating a "behavioral addiction" around digital products.
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In the book, Alter discusses how variable rewards, like those used in social media notifications, are a key component in keeping users engaged, drawing a parallel to techniques used in the gaming industry.
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368
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2017
Penguin Books
Adult
18+ years
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