Irresistible

Why We Can't Stop Checking, Scrolling, Clicking and Watching

By: Adam Alter

Narrated by: Adam Alter

How many times have you checked your phone today? Why are messaging apps, email and social media so hard to resist? How come we always end up watching another episode?

In recent years, media and technology have perfected the lucrative art of gaining and holding our attention. This extraordinary feat has changed the behaviour of billions of people, and especially the young: by current medical standards, we are experiencing an unprecedented global pandemic of addiction. But what exactly is an addiction? And what, if anything, might we do about it?

From cliff-hangers to earworms, from religion to pornography, and from the awesome allure of the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood app to the unexpected benefits of the 'butt-brush effect', Irresistible blends fascinating stories with ingenious science to explain how and why we all got hooked. Revealing the surprising causes and sometimes bizarre nature of addiction, this book will equip you with the tools and understanding you need to navigate our irresistible new world.

©2017 Adam Alter (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Truly addictive." (Malcolm Gladwell)
"Brilliant." (Susan Cain)
"Essential." (Charles Duhigg)

Helpful

Likes the narration by Prof Alter
Compelling stories
While scholarly, it’s not overloaded with academic lingo

Well worth the read

I like how the book is not filled with academic jargon even though he refers to a lot of psychology research. Also liked how he gives practical examples of how to not fall for the manipulation of us always being on our phones