Unwired: Gaining Control Over Addictive Technologies

Prologue

• Gaia Bernstein discusses a personal encounter in 2019 about technology overuse.
• The conversation with a friend about her daughter's phone usage highlights the pervasiveness of technology in everyday life.
• Bernstein admits the ineffectiveness of self-help methods for reducing screen time.
• She identifies a gradual change in society since 2009 with the advent of smartphones and social networks.
• Bernstein's realization of the pervasive impact of technology on personal interactions and screen time.

The Problem with Self-Help Solutions

• Initial belief in self-regulation and personal methods to limit screen time.
• Increasing awareness that tech companies design their products to be addictive.
• Influence of tech whistleblowers revealing manipulative design aspects.
• The psychological impact of excessive screen time on children and adults.

The Tech Industry's Manipulation

• Use of psychology to manipulate users, such as intermittent rewards and removal of stopping signals.
• Autoplay and pull-to-refresh are specific design choices to keep users engaged.
• The impact of prolonged screen time on mental health and social connections.

Collective Action and Legal Strategies

• Shift from self-help to collective action against tech companies.
• Comparison to historical movements against tobacco and junk food industries.
• Advocacy for legal and policy changes to make tech companies accountable.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity for face-to-face interaction.

Personal Reflections and Autonomy

• Bernstein's personal struggle with technology overuse.
• Realization of the illusion of control in decision-making regarding technology use.
• The gradual change in lifestyle due to small unreflective choices.
• The importance of autonomy and making informed choices.

Manipulation and Loss of Autonomy

• Businesses exploit predictable irrationality of human behavior.
• The covert and intricate nature of online manipulation.
• The gradual accumulation of small decisions leading to significant lifestyle changes.

Importance of Autonomous Decision-Making

• Philosophical perspectives on the role of choice in human life.
• Autonomy is essential for personal growth and psychological well-being.
• Manipulation by tech companies erodes personal autonomy and decision-making.

The Role of Catastrophic Events

• The COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for realizing technology's impact.
• Comparison with historical events that led to significant societal change.
• The pandemic's acceleration of technology dependence and its drawbacks.

Conclusion

• Advocacy for collective legal action to reclaim autonomy over technology use.
• Importance of joining existing movements to push for change.
• The book outlines potential legal strategies to address technology overuse and manipulation.