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A Deadly Wandering
A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age | Matt Richtel
11 posts | 10 read | 17 to read
A landmark exploration of the vast and expanding impact of technology, rivetingly told through the lens of a deadly collisionOne of the year's most original and masterfully reported books, A Deadly Wandering by Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist Matt Richtel interweaves the cutting-edge science of attention with the tensely plotted story of a mysterious car accident and its aftermath to answer some of the defining questions of our time: What is technology doing to us? Can our minds keep up with the pace of change? How can we find balance? Through Richtel's beautifully constructed narrative, a complex and far-reaching topic becomes intimate and urgentan important call to reexamine our own lives.On the last day of summer, an ordinary Utah college student named Reggie Shaw fatally struck two rocket scientists while texting and driving along a majestic stretch of highway bordering the Rocky Mountains. Richtel follows Reggie from the moment of the tragedy, through the police investigation, the state's groundbreaking prosecution (at the time there was little precedent to guide the court), and ultimately, Reggie's wrenching admission of responsibility. Richtel parallels Reggie's journey with leading-edge scientific findings regarding human attention and the impact of technology on our brainsshowing how these devices, now thoroughly embedded into all aspects of our lives, play to our deepest social instincts and prey on parts of the brain that crave stimulation, creating loops of compulsion, even addiction. Remarkably, today Reggie is a leading advocate who has helped spark a national effort targeting distracted driving, and the arc of his story provides a window through which Richtel pursues actionable solutions to help manage this crisis individually and as a society. A propulsive read filled with fascinating scientific detail, riveting narrative tension, and rare emotional depth, A Deadly Wandering is a book that can changeand savelives.
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Amiable
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Pickpick

Two cars collide on the road ... One person survives, two do not. Texting is involved. This book delves into how technology is impacting our lives. I wasn't totally thrilled with the meandering narrative that includes extraneous details that distract from the story (honestly, how many times did I need to read about the victim advocate's kids' history projects?). However, the science about attention and technology was informative and enlightening.

Freespirit Great review😊 6y
Amiable @Freespirit Why, thank you! 🙂 6y
75 likes1 stack add2 comments
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ptkpepe98

Started listening to this while peeling peaches to make a reduction. It's a sad story. I am also learning a lot about multitasking, or, should I say, the myth of multitasking. Yes, I can walk and chew gum at the same time, but am I paying attention to either fully? According to the research, maybe not. Time to listen again...and attend.

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Suet624
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Pickpick

Finished 2 exceptional books this week and have been ‘sitting in the thinking‘ about them both. This is a must read. Covers so much ground: the brain capacity when multitasking, what companies and the govt. knew about the dangers of texting, the dopamine and cortisol released when you use a cellphone or hear the ding of an incoming message, & the actual events of a case involving a 19-year-old who killed 2 rocket scientists while texting. So good.

Suet624 They suggest putting your phone in the trunk when driving. And you are not really present, brain focused on the task, for 15 seconds after reading or typing a text even while sitting at a stoplight. 7y
66 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Suet624
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My audiowalk today. This book is so good. Science proves your cellphone is as addictive as crack. #Vermont

saresmoore That doesn‘t surprise me at all! When I have given up my phone for various periods in the past, people have been appalled at my antisocial/anti-progress absurdity. I just like to stay clear of potentially catastrophic ruts in my life! 7y
Suet624 @saresmoore good for you! It‘s hard to do. 7y
readordierachel What gorgeous place! 7y
See All 9 Comments
Suet624 @ReadOrDieRachel Truly beautiful. I feel lucky to be around such peaceful places. 7y
AmyG As I type this on my cellpone...on Litsy...I‘d agree with that. And how beautiful. 7y
Suet624 @AmyG 😁😁😁 7y
batsy I agree, I can feel the compulsion even as I scroll 😰 BTW, you live in paradise. 😍 7y
Suet624 @batsy It‘s a beautiful place, for sure, until mud season. 😂 7y
72 likes1 stack add9 comments
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ClairesReads
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Another amazing year of #readharder is done! This was my second round of this reading challenge, and I'm still really enjoying how it is diversifying my reading and leading me to things I'd never have picked up otherwise. I found the 2017 tasks a bit more challenging than 2016- but still doable. I've tagged my favourite read that I wouldn't have picked up but for these tasks- can't wait for the 2018 list!

Redheadrambles Yippee 👍🏻🏅🎉 that‘s so exciting and by November as well. The countdown begins for 2018. 7y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles I know! There were moments when I thought I might be sprinting home in the last couple of weeks of December! So excited for the 2018 list!! 7y
sprainedbrain Nice work!! 7y
megt Well done! 7y
34 likes5 comments
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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

An excellent example of narrative non fiction- Richtel's book centres around a case of a fatal crash caused by texting while driving: the story of Reggie Shaw's journey from denial to responsibility. Richtel also discusses science of attention- the impact our increasingly dependent relationship with technology is having on our attention. In short there are devastating consequences for dividing your attention in high stakes environments.

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ClairesReads
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Attention is a finite resource... this book is fascinating!!

BestOfFates I have had so many debates with people who talk about how they're great at multitasking when I'm like, science shows we can't! You can only be good at switching attention quickly but that is necessarily slower than just doing each thing in succession! 8y
ClairesReads @BestOfFates reading this- I totally agree with you. The science of attention is so interesting- but the way technology is impacting it is so disturbing! 8y
22 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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ClairesReads
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#readharder2017 a nonfiction book about technology

Redheadrambles Yeah powering through these tasks you are 😀 8y
ClairesReads @Redheadrambles aiming for 2 a month 👌🏻 8y
28 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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ClairesReads
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The ability to pay attention is super important- but is it being compromised by our relationship with technology?

Suet624 Yes. I'm sure of it. 8y
22 likes1 comment
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ClairesReads
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"It is a clash between technology and the human brain."

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rholmes27
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Pickpick

Very interesting read about distraction caused by our use of technology. Will scare the bejeezus out of you about using your cell phone while driving.

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