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2 editions on Cue Bookstore

Adam Alter

Adam Alter brings a credible and useful lens to digital addiction, behavioral design, attention economy, with enough subject command to make the book worth hearing.

2
editions on Cue Bookstore
Readings on Cue Bookstore

Readings listed below

Cover of Irresistible
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Irresistible

Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling, wondering where the time went? Or felt that magnetic pull to an app, even when you know you should be doing something else? Adam Alter's 'Irresistible' pulls back the curtain on why modern digital experiences feel so compelling. This episode delves into the intentional design choices that tap into our deepest psychological needs, shaping our habits and often leading to behavioral addiction. We explore how products are engineered to capture attention, often to our detriment, challenging the notion that addiction is solely a failure of willpower. Discover the 'six pillars' of irresistible design—compelling goals, positive feedback, progress, escalation, social connection, and unpredictability—and how these elements, while not inherently negative, are leveraged to create powerful, often insidious, hooks. We examine the erosion of deep work and genuine connection, as constant digital fragmentation prevents focused thought and present interaction, leading to a sense of being 'busy' but unproductive, and connected but lonely. Ultimately, understanding these invisible architectures isn't about demonizing technology, but about empowering ourselves. This breakdown offers insights into recognizing these influences, enabling conscious choices about engagement, and reclaiming our time, focus, and authentic connections in a world designed to be irresistible.

21 minOpen edition
Cover of Anatomy of a Breakthrough
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Anatomy of a Breakthrough

We often assume that to get unstuck, we just need to push harder, try a new tactic, or wait for a sudden flash of insight. But what if that very assumption is part of the problem? This book argues that our ruts aren't always about a lack of willpower or a missing grand strategy. Instead, they're often the result of subtle, invisible forces – misdirected effort, environmental traps, or a narrow perspective that keeps us circling the same problem. It’s that familiar frustration of expending immense energy only to find yourself deeper in the same groove. This episode reveals how to identify the true anatomy of your stuckness, shifting from brute force to strategic observation. It's about understanding the hidden mechanisms that hold you back, so you can cultivate the small, intentional shifts that actually unlock progress.

19 minOpen edition
Biography

Adam Alter brings a credible and useful lens to digital addiction, behavioral design, attention economy, with enough subject command to make the book worth hearing.