Hooked on Habits: Nir Eyal on the Fine Line Between Addiction and Technology
Whatever will provide a salve for our itch, so to speak, becomes our habits, becomes what we turn to with little or no conscious thought.
Imagine scrolling through your favorite app and realizing it's designed to keep you hooked—just like a drug. In this episode of Harm Reduction Radio, Kenneth Anderson sits down with Nir Eyal, the mind behind 'Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products'. They dive into the uncanny similarities between addictive tech and substance abuse, shedding light on the ethics of creating apps that captivate us. Nir unpacks his four-step hook model, explaining how variable rewards keep us coming back for more.
He also tackles the benefits and pitfalls of these technologies, questioning if we can harness them for good instead of just profit. Ever wondered why you can't stop binge-watching your favorite show? Or why that game on your phone is so irresistible? This chat goes deep into how our identities intertwine with our tech habits and what that means for our daily lives. Eyal even introduces a three-step habit testing process that companies use to make their products stick.
Thoughtful and engaging, this episode will make you rethink how you interact with technology and inspire you to use it more mindfully.