This week’s must-reads: 3 Key Mindset Shifts That Made Me a Significantly Happier Person

In my work as a behavioral designer, I come across important stories on how psychology influences our behavior. Every week, I share my round-up of the most important stories at the intersection of psychology, technology and business. I hope you enjoy them!

The New York Times Uses the Very Dark Patterns it Derides (NirAndFar) A recent New York Times op-ed titled “Stopping the Manipulation Machines,” derided the use of dark patterns: design tricks that push people to do things online by confusing or deliberately inconveniencing them.

Maybe Social Media Isn’t Making Teens Depressed, After All. And Here’s What Likely Is. [AUDIO] (Podcast) Here’s what the COVID-19 lockdowns have revealed about teen depression.

You Are Not “Addicted” To Technology (Jason Feifer) Are smartphones and social media addictive? Tech critics say yes. But actual addiction researchers say something else.

3 Key Mindset Shifts That Made Me a Significantly Happier Person (@AscentPub) We’re all capable of changing our minds. But there are certain changes that drastically affect our lives.

India’s Digital Samaritans: Can Social Media Be a Force for Good? (Behavioral Scientist) Social Media platforms are allowing an army of volunteers to deliver timely information and life-saving resources to those who need it most.

‘Luxury beliefs’ are the latest status symbol for rich Americans (New York Post) In the past, upper-class Americans used to display their social statuses with luxury goods. Today, they do it with luxury beliefs.

Happy reading!

- Nir