Review of Hal Gottfried’s The Psychology of Technology
This book is an easy read. Even though some concepts are technical, the author does a good job of explaining them in layman’s terms
Let’s be real—you picked up your phone at least 3 times while reading that headline. I get it. I’m guilty too. But after reading Hal Gottfried’s The Psychology of Technology, I finally understand why we’re all stuck in this loop… and more importantly, how to break free.
Here’s the scary truth:
1. Your Brain is Addicted to Half-Focus
- Continuous Partial Attention: That’s the fancy term for when you’re “working” while simultaneously scrolling Instagram, replying to WhatsApp, and pretending to listen to your partner.
- The Cost: Studies show this slashes productivity by 40%. (Translation: That “busy” workday could’ve been 4 hours shorter if you just focused.)
Try This Today: The Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of deep work, 5-minute break. Your brain will thank you.
2. Algorithms Are Manipulating You
Every click, like, or pause trains AI to:
- Feed you more outrage (for engagement).
- Trap you in a personalised echo chamber (so you never see opposing views).
- Keep you scrolling (even when you’re miserable).
Wake-Up Call: Your phone isn’t a tool. It’s a slot machine designed to addict you.
3. Relationships Are Being Outsourced to Apps
- Dating: Infinite swipes = zero effort to fix real issues.
- Parenting: iPad = 21st-century pacifier.
- Friendships: Reacting to stories ≠ , real connection.
Gottfried’s Fix: The best relationships need old-school ingredients: eye contact, vulnerability, and putting the damn phone away.
4. Your Sleep is Being Stolen
- Blue light = melatonin killer (that’s your sleep hormone).
- Worse: Poor sleep doubles your risk for anxiety and depression.
Pro Tip: Charge your phone outside the bedroom. Yes, tonight.
The Bottom Line
This book isn’t anti-tech—it’s pro-you. Gottfried gives practical fixes to:
✅ Reclaim your focus (Pomodoro FTW).
✅ Spot algorithmic manipulation.
✅ Protect your relationships and mental health.
Rating: 9/10. If you’ve ever felt “tech owns me,” read this.
Action Step: Put one tip into practice today (start with Pomodoro!). Drop a comment if you’ve noticed these traps in your life.
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