Listen free for 30 days
-
Irresistible
- The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
- Narrated by: Adam Alter
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Irresistible
Buy Now for $23.31
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
Welcome to the age of behavioral addiction - an age in which half of the American population is addicted to at least one behavior. We obsess over our emails, Instagram likes, and Facebook feeds; we binge on TV episodes and YouTube videos; we work longer hours each year; and we spend an average of three hours each day using our smartphones. Half of us would rather suffer a broken bone than a broken phone, and Millennial kids spend so much time in front of screens that they struggle to interact with real, live humans.
In this revolutionary audiobook, Adam Alter, a professor of psychology and marketing at NYU, tracks the rise of behavioral addiction, and explains why so many of today's products are irresistible. Though these miraculous products melt the miles that separate people across the globe, their extraordinary and sometimes damaging magnetism is no accident. The companies that design these products tweak them over time until they become almost impossible to resist.
By reverse engineering behavioral addiction, Alter explains how we can harness addictive products for the good - to improve how we communicate with each other, spend and save our money, and set boundaries between work and play - and how we can mitigate their most damaging effects on our well-being, and the health and happiness of our children.
You may also enjoy...
-
Digital Minimalism
- Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
- Written by: Cal Newport
- Narrated by: Will Damron, Cal Newport
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 439
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 369
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 363
Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, the best-selling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Live with intention
- By Luiz on 2019-05-05
Written by: Cal Newport
-
The Hidden Habits of Genius
- Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit - Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
- Written by: Craig Wright
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
What is genius? The word evokes iconic figures like Einstein, Beethoven, Picasso, and Steve Jobs, whose cultural contributions have irreversibly shaped society. Yet Beethoven could not multiply. Picasso couldn’t pass a fourth grade math test. And Jobs left high school with a 2.65 GPA. The Hidden Habits of Genius explores the meaning of this contested term, and the unexpected motivations of those we have dubbed "genius" throughout history, from Charles Darwin and Marie Curie to Leonardo Da Vinci and Andy Warhol to Toni Morrison and Elon Musk.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Inspiring read especially for the neurodivergent
- By Lena Rose Cimolai on 2024-10-21
Written by: Craig Wright
-
Your Brain on Porn
- Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction
- Written by: Gary Wilson
- Narrated by: Noah Church
- Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 191
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 143
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 138
When high speed Internet became widely available a few years ago, growing numbers of people began to worry that their porn use was running out of control. Far from preparing them for fulfilling relationships, viewing an endless stream of porn videos led to unexpected symptoms.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
l
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-10-06
Written by: Gary Wilson
-
The Little Book of Big Change
- The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit
- Written by: Amy Johnson PhD
- Narrated by: Kathleen Mary Carthy
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 125
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 113
Little changes can make a big, big difference! In The Little Book of Big Change, psychologist Amy Johnson shows you how to rewire your brain and overcome your bad habits - once and for all. No matter what your bad habit is, you have the power to change it. Drawing on a powerful combination of neuroscience and spirituality, this book will show you that you are not your habits. Rather, your habits and addictions are the result of simple brain wiring that is easily reversed.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Life changing
- By Cindy Porter on 2018-09-19
Written by: Amy Johnson PhD
-
In the Black
- My Life
- Written by: B. Denham Jolly
- Narrated by: Tim Puckett
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 48
In the Black traces B. Denham Jolly's personal and professional struggle for a place in a country where Black Canadians have faced systematic discrimination. He arrived from Jamaica to attend university in the mid-1950s and worked as a high school teacher before going into the nursing and retirement-home business. Though he was ultimately successful in his business ventures, Jolly faced both overt and covert discrimination, which led him into social activism.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Canadian history that we all need to know
- By Melissa L Krull on 2018-09-19
Written by: B. Denham Jolly
-
No Filter
- The Inside Story of Instagram
- Written by: Sarah Frier
- Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Sarah Frier
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 40
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 40
In 2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger released a photo-sharing app called Instagram, with one simple but irresistible feature: It would make anything you captured look more beautiful. The cofounders cultivated a community of photographers and artisans around the app, and it quickly went mainstream. In less than two years, it caught Facebook’s attention: Mark Zuckerberg bought the company for a historic one billion dollars when Instagram had only 13 employees.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Phenomenal: engaging, funny, fascinating.
- By Brooke on 2021-08-14
Written by: Sarah Frier
-
Digital Minimalism
- Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
- Written by: Cal Newport
- Narrated by: Will Damron, Cal Newport
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 439
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 369
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 363
Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, the best-selling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Live with intention
- By Luiz on 2019-05-05
Written by: Cal Newport
-
The Hidden Habits of Genius
- Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit - Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
- Written by: Craig Wright
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
What is genius? The word evokes iconic figures like Einstein, Beethoven, Picasso, and Steve Jobs, whose cultural contributions have irreversibly shaped society. Yet Beethoven could not multiply. Picasso couldn’t pass a fourth grade math test. And Jobs left high school with a 2.65 GPA. The Hidden Habits of Genius explores the meaning of this contested term, and the unexpected motivations of those we have dubbed "genius" throughout history, from Charles Darwin and Marie Curie to Leonardo Da Vinci and Andy Warhol to Toni Morrison and Elon Musk.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Inspiring read especially for the neurodivergent
- By Lena Rose Cimolai on 2024-10-21
Written by: Craig Wright
-
Your Brain on Porn
- Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction
- Written by: Gary Wilson
- Narrated by: Noah Church
- Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 191
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 143
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 138
When high speed Internet became widely available a few years ago, growing numbers of people began to worry that their porn use was running out of control. Far from preparing them for fulfilling relationships, viewing an endless stream of porn videos led to unexpected symptoms.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
l
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-10-06
Written by: Gary Wilson
-
The Little Book of Big Change
- The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit
- Written by: Amy Johnson PhD
- Narrated by: Kathleen Mary Carthy
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 125
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 113
Little changes can make a big, big difference! In The Little Book of Big Change, psychologist Amy Johnson shows you how to rewire your brain and overcome your bad habits - once and for all. No matter what your bad habit is, you have the power to change it. Drawing on a powerful combination of neuroscience and spirituality, this book will show you that you are not your habits. Rather, your habits and addictions are the result of simple brain wiring that is easily reversed.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Life changing
- By Cindy Porter on 2018-09-19
Written by: Amy Johnson PhD
-
In the Black
- My Life
- Written by: B. Denham Jolly
- Narrated by: Tim Puckett
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 48
In the Black traces B. Denham Jolly's personal and professional struggle for a place in a country where Black Canadians have faced systematic discrimination. He arrived from Jamaica to attend university in the mid-1950s and worked as a high school teacher before going into the nursing and retirement-home business. Though he was ultimately successful in his business ventures, Jolly faced both overt and covert discrimination, which led him into social activism.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Canadian history that we all need to know
- By Melissa L Krull on 2018-09-19
Written by: B. Denham Jolly
-
No Filter
- The Inside Story of Instagram
- Written by: Sarah Frier
- Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Sarah Frier
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 40
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 40
In 2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger released a photo-sharing app called Instagram, with one simple but irresistible feature: It would make anything you captured look more beautiful. The cofounders cultivated a community of photographers and artisans around the app, and it quickly went mainstream. In less than two years, it caught Facebook’s attention: Mark Zuckerberg bought the company for a historic one billion dollars when Instagram had only 13 employees.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Phenomenal: engaging, funny, fascinating.
- By Brooke on 2021-08-14
Written by: Sarah Frier
What the critics say
“Irresistible is a fascinating and much needed exploration of one of the most troubling phenomena of modern times.” (Malcolm Gladwell, author of New York Times best-sellers David and Goliath and Outliers)
“One of the most mesmerizing and important books I’ve read in quite some time. Alter brilliantly illuminates the new obsessions that are controlling our lives and offers the tools we need to rescue our businesses, our families, and our sanity.” (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take)
“If you can't stop checking, clicking, surfing and liking, put your device down and read Adam Alter's Irresistible, an important, groundbreaking book about why we're addicted to technology, how we got here, and what we should do next.” (Arianna Huffington, author of The Sleep Revolution and Thrive)
What listeners say about Irresistible
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 2020-11-18
Well worth it
Great book and provides some really interesting and valuable insight in to tech and how it’s become part of our everyday lives.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Konstantin Chesnokov
- 2020-06-01
Liked the Message
I loved the book overall, but I’m giving it 4 stars as I wanted a bit more science behind the points the author raised
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shay G.
- 2020-09-28
A must listen/read for everyone.
Besides how lovely it is to be read to by its Australian author, this book was engaging from start to finish. The many real life examples used to convey the nuance of today’s addictions and how they manifest were eye opening. In our rapidly changing and controversial world of social media, tech advances, and emerging virtual realities it’s refreshing to receive this well written and executed collection of objective research to gain knowledge and perspective.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marina
- 2020-09-09
Everyone with a smart phone should read this.
I wanted to read this book to help my two teens build screen boundaries. We all read this book and came away with a strategy and motivation to cut back on the tech.
Good info throughout, but the little real life supporting stories in it is what made it tough to put this book down. Very well written.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- M
- 2020-08-27
Check Yourself!
Great listen. It forces you to dig deep and challenge your own addictions and vices.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tara McKone
- 2021-08-22
addiction, with all its variables
an engrossing listen.. SEX, EXERCISE, LOVE, shopping, social media.. all dopamine factories, and we are simply human, designed to succumb.. or are we?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bryden Lloyd
- 2021-03-02
almost.. addictive
Adam Alter makes me wonder if he used the same addictive tendencies of the human mind to captivate readers for this book. After obtaining a copy, I was able to finish it in under a week. It describes the methods of addiction and the function of the human mind that allows for it to happen, along with the technology and marketing that enables it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- sifiso hove
- 2019-09-04
wow
there is no knowledge that is not power. this book opened a whole new way of thinking to me.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Best hat I’ve bought on Amazon
- 2020-08-30
Fantastic Book and Narrating
The book alone was extremely interesting but the author reading it gave it a totally more relatable feeling.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Abigaël
- 2021-05-15
A worrying look in the mirror...
If you like incentives to change your behaviour and those of your children, this is the book to do it...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!