Manoush Zamorodi is an accomplished reporter, podcast host, and author. his new book, body ElectricTakes a comprehensive look at how technology is affecting our physical health. This is her first title, a collaboration between NPR and Columbia University Medical Center. bored and fabulousLeft. That book talked about how technology is hindering our mental health. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels like being constantly connected to a device is draining their energy and creativity.
Both books grew out of his extensive podcasting work. After leading WNYC note to selfZamorodi went on to host NPR. TED Radio HourAnd even gave a TED Talk of his own in 2017, which received over seven million views. So we wanted to know how humans stay productive and what their current relationship with technology looks like?
What’s the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
I was a devoted user of Pocket, the app that saves articles to read later, for over a decade, and I was devastated when Mozilla discontinued it. I’ve been using Matter ever since, and it seems to do the job just as well, if not better (highlighting actually works!), but I’ve noticed that I use it more these days as a repository for research I want to reference later.
What’s one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
I really wish I didn’t have to mutilate my body to spend time on this. I have a constant low-grade literal pain in my neck that only goes away if I turn off my phone for the entire day. That said, I’m not ready to “upgrade” to Meta Glass or anything else on my face yet.
How many tabs do you have open right now?
37. How embarrassing. They are mostly Google Docs, Riverside, LinkedIn, emails (opened multiple times), scientific articles, and Amazon rankings for books. I find that I get frustrated when I can’t find the right tab quickly, so I open a new tab. (So, Gmail is open in three places)
What is your favorite gadget of all time?
I really love my AirPods because I can walk and talk without any burden. Whenever possible, I tell people to do phone calls instead of Zoom. It’s an easy way to bring some movement into my day, and I pay better attention, too.
Which was the most disappointing?
Oculus. Sits on a shelf.
What creation are you most proud of?
I am incredibly proud that body Electric The study was accepted for publication in a scientific journal. I’ve been doing interactive projects with thousands of audiences for over a decade, but this is the first project to get the full peer-review treatment. This is a real milestone for me as I want to become a journalist and scientist!
What do you do when you feel stuck?
I go on long, boring walks, even if I don’t feel like it. Centuries of wandering have produced incredible literature, inventions and wonderful ideas of what to make for dinner. I remind myself of how the body and brain respond to motion, listen to the slow thump of my sneakers, and then, within about 15 minutes, I usually come to rest without stopping.
When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
Never. I have teenage and elderly parents. As I don’t always want to, I need to remain accessible.
What’s the last piece of physical media you purchased?
I buy books non-stop. Reading on paper is the only way I can process long writing.
What do you think is worth spending on?
See above!
What will be the tagline of your biopic?
Manoush Zomorodi: The woman who never took an Uber to get there on foot.
What was the last GIF or meme you used?
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