Reviews

Psychology of Technology - Reader Reviews

What makes this book special is Hal’s balanced approach to our digital lives. He delves into the neuroscience of how technology affects our brain chemistry and attention spans, but presents these insights in accessible, engaging language that never feels like you're reading a research paper. Hal doesn't vilify technology instead, he promotes what he calls "Intentional Use," a framework that helps readers distinguish between technology that enriches their lives and digital habits that quietly drain their time and mental energy.

One of the book's strengths is addressing how we navigate our technology saturated lives, both personal and professional. Hal acknowledges the reality that a complete digital detox isn't practical for most people, instead offering realistic strategies for creating boundaries that work in the modern workplace and home environment to include personal relationships.

Through out the book, Hal provides concrete, actionable steps—daily practices, weekly check-ins, and environmental changes—that help you reclaim your attention without feeling deprived. These aren't rigid rules but adaptable principles you can customize to your life.

- Brandy T. (PA)

Often we trade advice with each other such as, you should turn off all of your social media for a weekend or wear tin foil hats to keep the space rays out. This is basically in the form of any other modern myth. But the problems living in this modern noisy world is really there! So we keep looking for solutions, finding solutions each more absurd than the other. The research driven approach presented in The Psychology of Technology is a practical guide to identifying all of the things that are conspiring to rob us of our ability to give our full attention. In this book it also provides practical solutions to address these problems too. I would recommend this book to any one who is trying to claw back their precious time, bring focus and reclaim their daily life.

- Joel K. (KS)

This was a very interesting read. I found his perspective on how technology impacts our lives as very poignant and relatable. He made a lot of very solid points about how reliant we are on technology and how it does shape the world that we’re in, maybe not always for the better. In some ways it feels as if technology takes a little bit of human out of our lives because we are so engaged with it. However, he also makes some very solid points about how wonderful advancements have been when used as intended and how they have contributed to our society. I really enjoyed this book and I hope he comes out with a second!

- Heather G. (KS)

Lisbeth Ivies From Reedsy: "Loved it! 😍"

"By examining the repercussions of a constantly online world, we can harness the positives and reduce the negatives."

What readers appreciated:

Balanced perspective: "Psychology of Technology does a great job balancing pros and cons of such a connected world. It also tries to provide solutions on how to tip the current situation more positive."
Comprehensive scope: "The comprehensive look at how much the internet and social media have permeated our lives and our thoughts is thorough."
Timely relevance: "With the rapid embrace of AI, I also can't think of many more relevant topics."
Broad appeal: "Most people would benefit from reading Psychology of Technology, especially younger readers who don't know a 'before.'"

Key insight: "In less than three decades, instant online communication grew and changed our lives with such impact as the birth of motorized vehicles or maybe even the use of electricity itself. In some ways, the internet has gone even further because it's morphed beyond just a tool."

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Five Stars From Literary Titan

"Hal F. Gottfried's Psychology of Technology dives headfirst into the murky and complicated waters where human psychology meets digital design... It's a thorough, often unsettling look at how deeply the digital frontier has seeped into our minds."

What reviewers loved:

Conversational and honest voice: "It's casual, punchy, and brutally honest. Gottfried doesn't lecture. He talks to you like a friend."
Practical, balanced approach: "I also admired the book's refusal to just dunk on tech or idealize some unplugged utopia... he offers practical, reasonable ways to set boundaries, reclaim attention, and use tech more mindfully."
Relatable examples: "Like reaching for your phone during a movie, or reading a news feed that mysteriously only shows you one side of a story. These familiar moments hit home."

Bottom line: "Psychology of Technology is for anyone who's ever felt scattered, anxious, or just plain tired after a day online and wondered, 'Why do I feel like this?' It's not a tech detox manual or a scarefest. It's a wake-up call wrapped in kindness and realism."

Read the complete Literary Titan review →

- Literary Titan