This week’s must-reads: Why asking if you should delete social media is asking the wrong question

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!

How to Escape the Vicious Cycle of Distraction (NirAndFar) Why do so many of us feel like we don’t have time to accomplish our goals? It’s not a lack of time; the real problem is the vicious cycle of distraction.

Timeboxing: The Most Powerful Time Management Technique You’re Probably Not Using [AUDIO] (Podcast) Timeboxing is the nearest thing we have to productivity magic, yet most people don’t utilize it.

Should you delete social media? That’s the wrong question. (Mehret Biruk) If you spend hours a day on social media, the problem isn’t that we spend too much time on it, but that there are no alternatives that require more effort.

Why some of the smartest people can be so very stupid (Psyche) Stupidity is a very specific cognitive failing. Such stupidity is perfectly compatible with intelligence.

Are we really addicted to technology? (Big Think) Fear that new technologies are addictive isn’t a modern phenomenon.

If My Friend Really Liked Me Then She’d Initiate More (Girlfriendcircles.com) If we take the busy-ness of others as a personal offense then we’ll not only stay lonely for a long time, but we’ll be miserable and sad, too.

Happy reading!

- Nir