The Psychology of Technology by Hal Gottfried

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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

  • The Psychology of Technology by Hal Gottfried: A ReviewContinuous 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 ≠ , a 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 of The Psychology of Technology by Hal Gottfried

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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