NPR’s Manoush Zomorodi talks about living with too much technology

Manoush Zamorodi is an accomplished reporter, podcast host, and author. Her new book, Body electricitytakes a comprehensive look at how technology affects us Physical health. It’s a collaboration between NPR and Columbia University Medical Center that earned her first title, Bored and wonderfulI stopped. This book looked at how technology is hindering our mental health. I Highly recommend It is for anyone who feels that constant attachment to a device drains their energy and creativity.

Both books grew out of her extensive radio work. After he headed WNYC Note to selfZamorodi went on to host NPR TED Radio Hourand even gave her own TED talk in 2017 which was a huge success More than seven million views. So we wanted to know how Manoush stays productive, and what her current relationship with technology looks like?

What was the first app you installed on your new phone or computer?

I’ve been a loyal user of Pocket, the app that saves articles to read later, for more than a decade, and I was devastated when Mozilla shut it down. I’ve been using Matter ever since, and it seems to do the job just as well, if not better (highlighting it actually works!), but I’ve noticed that I use it more these days as a repository for research I want to refer to later.

What is the one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
I really wish I didn’t have to disfigure my body to spend time on it. I have a literal, constant, low-grade pain in my neck that only goes away when I’m off my phone for an entire day. However, I’m not ready to “upgrade” to Meta glasses or anything on my face yet.

How many tabs do you have open now?
37. How embarrassing. It’s mostly Google Docs, Riverside, LinkedIn, email (opened multiple times), scholarly articles, and Amazon book ratings. I notice that I get annoyed when I can’t find the right tab quickly, so I open a new tab. (So ​​Gmail is open in three places)

What’s your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
I really like my AirPods because I can walk and talk without any hindrance. Whenever possible, I ask people to make a phone call instead of Zoom. It’s an easy way to get some movement into my day, and I’m paying better attention, too.

Which was the most disappointing?
skylight. Sitting on a shelf.

What creation are you most proud of?
I’m extremely proud of that Body electricity The study has been accepted for publication in a scientific journal. I’ve been doing interactive projects with tens of thousands of listeners for over a decade, but this is the first project to get the full peer-review treatment. It’s a real achievement for me as a journalist, and I want to become a scientist!

What do you do when you feel stuck?
I go for a long, boring walk, even if I don’t feel like it. Centuries of hiking have produced amazing literature, inventions, and amazing ideas for what to make for dinner. I remind myself of how the body and brain respond to movement, listen to the dull thump of my sneakers, and then, within 15 minutes or so, I usually fail.

When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
never. I have teenagers and elderly parents. As much as I don’t want to be there all the time, I need to be available.

What’s the last piece of physical media you purchased?
I buy books nonstop. Reading on paper is the only way I can process a long piece of writing.

What do you think is worth spending on?
See above!

What will your resume slogan be?
Manoush Zamoroudi: The woman who would never take an Uber if she could get there on foot.

What’s the last GIF or meme you used?