Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked is authored by Adams Alter. Alter traces the new behavioral addiction that is surpassing drug and alcohol addiction in modern day society. The 20th century was dominated by some of the most outstanding news on drug and substance abuse. The two were the biggest threats to humanity, and many succumbed to the dangers and negative impacts of drugs and substance. Currently, there is another new addiction; platforms many believe are improving lives. E-mail, Twitter, Fitbit, Facebook, and Netflix are but a few of the latest technologies that are surpassing drug and substance abuse in numbers and rates. Alter takes a path down the human brain on how the smartphone game, the latest posts on Facebook and Instagram, and many more than the off-cut present imagine problems. Irresistible lays out some of the critical options available before people consume these products and highlights some of the struggles many are going through with these new technological advances. Irresistible is thought-provoking, fascinating, and exposes some of the unique troubling aspects of modern-day life.
Part I
Twenty-five percent of average smartphone users have their daily smartphone screen time at 2 to 3 hours. Twelve percent have their screen time 0 to 1 hour. Alter looks into the precise meaning of behavioral addiction and its history in human life. Addiction is the physical or psychological inability to bring the behavior to a stop. The behavior may include drug consumption, substance, or an activity. Alter argued that addiction is a complex brain activity that is depicted by uncontrollable engagement in an activity or consumption. People having addiction problems have a personal obsession and focus to use the drug or substance continually with no limit to stopping. Smartphones are the modern-day addiction that not only rob people time but also deny people the time to relate on a physical level. With new technological innovations such as online shopping and dating, people find their smartphones the most accessible tool for achieving many of the human demands.
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Alter argues that behavioral addiction is not a new concept, and people have struggled with it for years. The two components of behavioral addiction are compulsion and obsession, attributes that are dangerous and unhealthy. Alter argued that behavioral addictions often render people incapable of living healthy lives and also lead to complicated lifestyles. With each innovation and invention, such as newly developed Smartphones, behavioral addiction grows and aligns itself with the changes. Over the years, addiction has changed and morphed itself into daily human habits. The behavior has continued to accelerate with each passing decade to form part of human behavior.
Part II
Goals/Frustrated Life Characterized with only Short-Term Achievements
Alter looks at the essential ingredients of behavioral addiction with careful analysis of how addictive behavior is engineered over time. People spend a considerable amount of their time on mobile devices unknowing the danger and psychological impacts of their practice. Streaks reveal the significant failings that involve pursuing one's goals and objectives. Many, according to Alter, rarely enjoy the fruits of their efforts. An addiction is like approaching life as a series of indicators, and as many pursue it oblivious of its real picture, it fails to enjoy the very basics along the way. Streaks bring forth constant steam of low life rates that deny many the real joys of living. They are enticing but do not lead one to the grand goal of a worthy lifestyle. One of the most critical aspects of Alters's book is evidence that lies beneath human lives. Social media addictions are like streaks that help users to a series of guidelines that are of lesser value in terms of their usage. With many deriving their psychological fulfillment in attracting a large number of followers, the entire contrast is that these are signposts of failure. Technology addictions have changed the notion of living a noble life, with many setting their goals on failures rather than on ideal success. According to Alter, a goal needs to inspire one to a worthy lifestyle and not on short course achievements that add little value to one's life.
Part III
Corroboration/Contradiction
Irresistible is an insightful, important, and pleasurable book to read. The author incorporates multiple scientific concepts and theories to achieve the ultimate goal of presenting the book as a fascinating connection between psychological and biological connections. Some of the reliable connections entail scientific explorations, business concepts, and social ideals that the author connects with the psychological and biological concept of behavioral addiction. Without these collaborations and connections, the author could not have achieved the ideal purpose of the book. No contradiction is evident in the book since the author applies and uses scientifically proven experiments and research to prove the outlined behavioral addiction theories. For example, Lesli Sim and Katherine Schreiber's expertise in exercise addiction provides a unique insight into what many never consider as an addiction. Irresistible applies scientific and modern researchers to offer insightful and engaging narration.
Part IV
Practice Application
Irresistible will not impact on personal actions or professional practice. Despite its incisive analysis and insightful presentations, the book may not achieve much at a personal level. However, it is bound to inspire further research on modern-day addiction. For example, many of the stated theories and principles may give forth to related studies on the impact of technology on human activities and the reasons behind the new addictions. For example, further research may attempt to link Smartphone addiction to a particular lifestyle of users that may be instilling the behavior. At the same time, a medical examination may also try to connect modern-day health complications to the new addictions in society.
Reference
Alter, A. (2017). Irresistible: The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked . Penguin.
