Adam Alter is a Professor of Marketing at New York University's Stern School of Business and an author. Most adults report that they are within an arm's reach of their phone for 24 hours a day. Our devices have slotted themselves into our lives seamlessly, but controlling our screentime is becoming increasingly difficult. Expect to learn the psychological tricks tech companies are using to keep you hooked, what Adam thinks the best strategies are to control screentime, what our concerns should be with VR technology, why cliffhangers are so powerful and much more... Sponsors: Get perfect teeth 70% cheaper than other invisible aligners from DW Aligners at http://dwaligners.co.uk/modernwisdom Get 50% discount on your FitBook Membership at https://fitbook.co.uk/modernwisdom (use code MODERNWISDOM) Extra Stuff: Buy Irresistible - https://amzn.to/3bVRRrq Follow Adam on Twitter - https://twitter.com/adamleealter Get my free Ultimate Life Hacks List to 10x your daily productivity → https://chriswillx.com/lifehacks/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcast Email: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact
The hosts share techniques and strategies for controlling screen time and using technology in a more mindful way in order to free up more time for the real world. In the transcript, there is an ad for a Fitbook membership at a discounted price.
The ubiquity of smartphones has reached unprecedented levels, and the consequences of this new reality are something we're only beginning to understand.
The culture of needing to support others and gain support on Instagram can lead to a feeling of pressure to like and be liked in return, similar to the effect of video games. Studies show that seeing likes on Instagram posts can have a similar effect on the brain as drug use.
The traits and instincts of our ancestors, such as the pursuit of infrequent but plentiful rewards, are still embedded in our behavior today and contribute to our survival, adaptation and success.
The lack of faith in people's lives and the fear of death has led to a rise in self-development and personal growth movements, which are scientifically compatible ways of denying death. The increased access to data and measurement tools has also fueled this fascination with personal growth.
In a world that is increasingly focused on objective measurement, subjective aspects such as the arts and music are being marginalized, leading to a lack of meaning in people's lives. This has resulted in a pushback from those who want to bring these aspects back to the forefront.
Games that can be updated with new levels and features can keep players engaged indefinitely, as seen in the rise of social media, smartphones, and tablets.
As experiences become more immersive, the degree to which behavior can be influenced increases both during and after the experience. This creates a need for significant changes in the industry to address the psychological impact of immersive media.
The possibilities for VR technology seem endless, from virtual reality bars to Clubhouse-like platforms. While some worry about the consequences of such technology, others believe VR offers exciting new ways for people to connect and share experiences.
The desire for completion is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and knowing what drives us and brings us happiness is important to our well-being. Understanding how to short circuit the hooks of technology can be an effective way to increase utility and productivity in our lives.
The book sheds light on the business of keeping users hooked on technology, tackling topics like batched emails and vacation policies, and explores how we learn to distinguish subtle emotional changes in the presence of others.
The speaker believes that humans have a short memory and that things will largely go back to the way they were before the COVID-19 crisis, including working from home and being stuck at home.