Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Running head: IRRESISTIBLE REVIEW 1
IRRESISTIBLE REVIEW 3
Irresistible Book Review
Dera Ogudo
University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
N3335 Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Marianne Doan, MSN, RN, CPNP
March 25, 2019
Irresistible Book Review
With the increasing popularity of advanced technology, new issues are introduced. These issues vary from abuse of technology to increased interepretation of data due to advanced technology. Although there are several risks associated with the increasing use of technology, there are far too many benefits to halt its continued growth. This paper will provide a brief book review of a book that is focused on technology and I will include my impressions of the book.
Book
I recently a read a book by Adama Alter (2017) titled Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked. I chose this book because I am a person that loves the advantages of technology. I love having a cell phone akin to a mini computer and I love the ability to seek all of my technology devices to one system to keep me organized and on track. I also recognize that the increase in technology use has also lead to an increase in data breaches, identity theft and other virtual threats.
Two Topics of Interest
Having a keen interest in psychology and improving the mental health of all persons, I was most impressed by Alter’s comparison of general technology use and technology use by well-known public figures. He does an inspiring job of offering direct evidence on how prominent technology moguls severly limit technology use. For example, Alter states how Steve Job’s did not allow his children to use an Ipad, a device that greatly contributed to his success. Furthermore, Alter explained how Twitter cofounder Evan Williams also prevented his children from using an Ipad. This should be a lightbulb moment for all readers to wonder why two men that rose to fame because of their technology creations do not want their kids to experience it.
Another positive impression from Alter’s book is his comparison of behavioral addictions and technology use. Addictive behaviors are difficult to overcome even though simple patterns created those addictions. As Alter details in his book, people accidentally become hooked on technology through things as simple as reading an email. Most professional communications occur through email or text messaging. The alert of a new message sounding is a major distraction and instantly pulls the focus to the message. Most people immediately read their messages even if they do not immediately respond to the message. If this was not something I personally did, I might have struggled to believe Alter. However, when I hear my email ping at work, I read the message quickly to get a general idea of how I should prioritize the message. Such a distraction alters my tasks for the day because it takes time to regain focus. All those factors combine to create a perfect recipe for addiction behaviors.
Corroboration
Alter was definitely correct in explaining how addictive technology use has become. There is plenty of research that supports the claims Alter made because the same brain responses in drug abuse are seen in addictive behaviors (Douglas, 2017). That is the reason why people are so easily influenced by technology. Looking at the number of times a person checks their social media accounts in one day is proof of this. What other reason can a person use to explain the need to check social media multiple times a day. There has to be some neurological response pushing such confusing behavior. Another example that corroborates Alter’s claims includes methods to reduce addictive behaviors. Alter explains how people can prevent technology from overcoming their life by making simple changes. Change can be as simple as programming a donation to a charity every time a person presses their snooze alarm instead of getting out of bed (Douglas, 2017). As with overcoming any addiction, success is a result of strict mental effort.
Practice Application
After reading this book, there are several personal practices that I plan to change. To begin, I plan to remove the email notifications from my work email. The time it takes to get back on track after a notification is one of the reasons I spend more hours working than I should. I will set certain times that I will check email and I will only look at my email at those times. Additionally, I will find more hobbies outside of technology that require physical activity. This will reduce the risk of me checking my phone during those times. Lastly, I will significantly limit the screen time of my children.
References
Alter, A. (2017). Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Douglas, K. (2017). Turn on, touch in, drop out. New Scientist, 233(3115), 42. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.1016/S0262-4079(17)30428-1
