Review of Irresistible

Adam Alter

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Editorial Rating

The rating – what does it mean?

At getAbstract, we summarize books* that help people understand the world and make it better. Whatever we select for our library has to excel in one or the other of these two core criteria:

Enlightening – You’ll learn things that will inform and improve your decisions.

Helpful – You’ll take-away practical advice that will help you get better at what you do.

We rate each piece of content on a scale of 1–10 with regard to these two core criteria. Our rating helps you sort the titles on your reading list from solid (5) to brilliant (10). Books we rate below 5 won’t be summarized. Here's what the ratings mean:

10 – Brilliant. A helpful and/or enlightening book that, in addition to meeting the highest standards in all pertinent aspects, stands out even among the best. Often an instant classic and must-read for everyone.
9 – Superb. A helpful and/or enlightening book that is extremely well rounded, has many strengths and no shortcomings worth mentioning.
8 – Very good. A helpful and/or enlightening book that has a substantial number of outstanding qualities without excelling across the board, e.g. presents the latest findings in a topical field and is written by a renowned expert but lacks a bit in style.
7 – Good. A helpful and/or enlightening book that combines two or more noteworthy strengths, e.g. contains uncommonly novel ideas and presents them in an engaging manner.
6 – Notable. A helpful and/or enlightening book that stands out by at least one aspect, e.g. is particularly well structured.
5 – Solid. A helpful and/or enlightening book, in spite of its obvious shortcomings. For instance, it may offer decent advice in some areas while being repetitive or unremarkable in others.

*getAbstract is summarizing much more than books. We look at every kind of content that may matter to our audience: books, but also articles, reports, videos and podcasts. What we say here about books applies to all formats we cover.

Qualities

Applicable
Eye Opening
Hot Topic

While the rating tells you how good a book is according to our two core criteria, it says nothing about its particular defining features. Therefore, we use a set of 20 qualities to characterize each book by its strengths:

Applicable – You’ll get advice that can be directly applied in the workplace or in everyday situations.
Analytical – You’ll understand the inner workings of the subject matter.
Background – You’ll get contextual knowledge as a frame for informed action or analysis.
Bold – You’ll find arguments that may break with predominant views.
Comprehensive – You’ll find every aspect of the subject matter covered.
Concrete Examples – You’ll get practical advice illustrated with examples of real-world applications or anecdotes.
Controversial – You’ll be confronted with strongly debated opinions.
Eloquent – You’ll enjoy a masterfully written or presented text.
Engaging – You’ll read or watch this all the way through the end.
Eye opening – You’ll be offered highly surprising insights.
For beginners – You’ll find this to be a good primer if you’re a learner with little or no prior experience/knowledge.
For experts – You’ll get the higher-level knowledge/instructions you need as an expert.
Hot Topic – You’ll find yourself in the middle of a highly debated issue.
Innovative – You can expect some truly fresh ideas and insights on brand-new products or trends.
Insider’s take – You’ll have the privilege of learning from someone who knows her or his topic inside-out.
Inspiring – You’ll want to put into practice what you’ve read immediately.
Overview – You’ll get a broad treatment of the subject matter, mentioning all its major aspects.
Scientific – You’ll get facts and figures grounded in scientific research.
Visionary – You’ll get a glimpse of the future and what it might mean for you.
Well structured – You’ll find this to be particularly well organized to support its reception or application.

Review

Adam Alter notes that those who design tablets, smartphones and similar technologies often don’t let their kids anywhere near them. He thinks this should alarm you. Alter cites research indicating that nearly half the global population fits the definition of behaviorally addicted – mostly to the habituation designed into games, social media and apps. He reviews the techniques digital designers use to build dependencies in users. His report is important to anyone – especially parents – seeking a better understanding of the powerful pull of the digital world.

About the Author

Adam Alter, PhD, teaches at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Half the global population suffers from at least one behavioral addiction.

Alter details how developers and engineers design smartphone and tablet-based entertainment – social media, games and apps – to create user dependence. Video games, social media, email, games, gambling and a variety of apps ensnare half the global population into at least one addictive behavior by offering constant feedback, precisely calibrated challenges, compelling social connectivity, and rewards in the form of likes, comments, bells, whistles, leader boards, and such. These techniques and tools are so powerful, the author laments, that many designers forbid their children to use tablets and smartphones.

Obsessions with email, social media and apps harm health, livelihoods and relationships.

Behavioral addictions consume a lot of time, crowding out work, family relationships, friendships and sleep. For example, Alter says 40% of the people who play the online video game World of Warcraft (WoW) “consider themselves addicted” to it. He explains that this means there are tens of millions of WoW addicts worldwide. “There isn’t a bright line between addicts and the rest of us,” Alter writes. “We’re all one product or experience away from developing our own addictions.”

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