Discover how to manage this noisy world without it managing you.

In Numb, distinguished author Dr. Charles R. Chaffin delivers a fun and evidence-based exploration of how you can devote more attention on what you believe is important while ignoring the distractions that increasingly permeate your life. Using research from cognitive, education, positive, and clinical psychology, the book identifies the sources of noise and distraction in this information age and how we can manage it in all aspects of our lives.

You'll learn about:

• How experiences in technology, from social media to selfies to porn, impact our ability to engage and connect with others
• The news we consume and the impact of confirmation bias, filter bubbles, and tribalism
• How FOMO and choice overload impact our decision-making
• The power of our attention in all aspects of our daily lives

Perfect for anyone interested in the expanding impact of the information age on our collective psyche, ;Numb helps empower you to use technology and information not as a destination, but as a tool towards authenticity and empowerment.

DR. CHARLES R. CHAFFIN (Washington, DC) writes and speaks on a variety of topics related to cognition, attention, and human behavior. His research has focused on attention and multitasking and their relationship to human performance in a variety of settings. In his previous books, Chaffin takes complex topics, analyzes them, and through humor and short stories, makes them fun and accessible to a broader population.

PRAISE FOR Numb

Numb tackles one of the most challenging issues we face today: the barrage of messages, appeals, advertisements, and other sensory inputs that are overwhelming our limited mental bandwidth. Chaffin walks us through the science of how technologies intended to make us more connected with one another have ended up splintering our attention and redirecting it away from the people and activities that are most important to us. He offers practical advice for how we can regain mastery of our own minds and ultimately lead happier lives.
JOHN BESHEARS, Terrie F. and Bradley M. Bloom Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

You can't make change happen, or deepen relationships, or communicate well, or get ahead without paying very good attention. Constant overload leaves most people distracted and disoriented and prevents their path forward. Dr. Chaffin takes you through a step-by-step process to find your attentionand to keep it.
BEVERLY D. FLAXINGTON, The Human Behavior Coach^®; bestselling author

Numb tackles some of the most critical and challenging aspects of both personal and professional life today: how we manage an ever-present bombardment of information and technology. It helps us rethink how to liveand thrivein the new 'attention economy.'
CHRIS GECZY, PHD, Professor of Finance, The Wharton School

Time is one of our greatest resources, and yet we are losing a LOT of it. Why and how can we change? I'll cut to the chase: Numb is the one book you should read to understand your relationship with distractions and regain focus.
HAL E. HERSHFIELD, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1: The Information Age

2: Can I Have Your Attention Please?

3: The News

4: Instagram Worthy

5: Who's the Pigeon Now?

6: A Habit of Distraction

7: Tinder and I Are Registered at Amazon

8: Confirmation Bias

9: Compassion Fatigue

10: Too Much Information

11: FOMO

12: The Outrage Machine

13: Tribalism

14: Instant Gratification

15: Loneliness

16: Choice

17: Impulse Buying

18: Porn

19: Publisher or Platform?

20: Algorithms

21: Regaining the Feeling