If your iPhone is more appealing than your first cup of coffee when your alarm goes off or if you’ve ever blown an entire evening on Pinterest, then you’ve experienced the phenomena detailed in this book: psychological marketing. Hooked is a guide for startup founders, product managers, marketers and designers for creating more of what we humans can’t seem to get enough of: habit-forming technology. Eyal takes us inside the
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars by Jim Paul My rating: 4 of 5 stars What I learned Losing a Million Dollars offers a fascinating look into the mindset, behaviors, and life of Jim Paul, a man of privilege who, early on in life, developed an appetite for little work and large gains—i.e., a fast buck. This ultimately led him to the financial markets. Success bred hubris and other
Algorithms to Live By: What Computers Can Teach Us About Solving Human Problems by Brian Christian My rating: 4 of 5 stars Most of our decision-making happens unconsciously. Our autopilot mode works wonders a lot of the time. But sometimes not-so-much. Moving our brains from automatic mode to contemplative or "let's stop a moment and think about this" mode, can lead to better decisions and better outcomes.Algorithms to Live By
Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction by Derek Thompson My rating: 4 of 5 stars As a lifelong student of consumer and human behavior, I wasn't sure I'd get much out of this book. But because some of my favorite thinking minds raved about it, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. Hit Makers is a hit. It reinforced what I
The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Gail Saltz My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a powerful book not just for caregivers of children with "disorders" but for those who spent their childhood feeling "different" or "stupid" or otherwise "not quite right" then went on to achieve lots later. There's also a larger message in here for everyone else to take away: "different" is
Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior by Jonah Berger My rating: 5 of 5 stars There's something disquieting about reading a book that shines a bright light on our motivations and behaviors--the ugly ones, the ones we don't really want to "own," the ones about how we are constantly shaped by the people around us, how we strive to increase our associations to others (groups) we find attractive,
Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body by Jo Marchant My rating: 4 of 5 stars I enjoyed this book. Why? Because it validated my core beliefs, perspectives, and lifelong practices. I mean, who doesn't like to be affirmed, right? I'm the poster child for the "mind over matter" school. I'm not necessarily the author's target audience, however; I'm already a "believer." This book is for those
Bridging the Relationship Gap: Connecting with Children Facing Adversity by Sara E. Langworthy My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is an important book that will build your insight into and empathy for our nation's most important asset: our children. The scientific research is clear: "neglect and abuse can have lifelong effects on individuals." And while you may think this is not your problem, it is--this is our problem. The
The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time by Maria Konnikova My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Big Idea behind this book is that there are “cons” and there are “suckers”—and that most of us (all of us, according to Konnikova) have the capacity to be duped. Anyone who has ever had a love interest or friend that turned out to be someone/something different
