NPR’s Manoush Zomorodi talks about having more technology

Manoush Zamorodi is a successful journalist, podcast host, and author. His new book, Body Electrictakes a detailed look at how technology affects us physical health. It’s a collaboration between NPR and Columbia University Medical Center that begins with its first title, Tired and Wisehe stopped. This book explained how technology is destroying our mental health. Me he advises a lot for anyone who feels like being constantly connected to a device is losing their energy and creativity.

Both books grew out of his extensive podcasting career. After going to WNYC Note To SelfZamorodi continued to host NPR’s TED Radio Hourand he also gave his TED Talk in 2017 which has gone viral over 7 million views. So we wanted to know, how does Manoush become successful, and what does his current relationship with technology look like?

What’s the first app you install on a new phone or computer?

I was a devoted user of Pocket, an app that saves documents for later reading, for over a decade, and was disappointed when Mozilla shut it down. I’ve been using Matter ever since, and it seems to be working just as well, if not better (lighting works!), but I’ve noticed that I’m using it these days as a repository for research that I want to mention later.

What’s one thing you’d like to change about your phone?
I really wish I didn’t contort my body and spend time on it. I have a mild pain in my neck that goes away when I don’t have a phone for a whole day. That said, I’m not ready to “upgrade” the Meta glasses or whatever is on my face right now.

How many tabs do you have open right now?
37. What a shame! Usually it’s Google Docs, Riverside, LinkedIn, email (multiple opened), scientific journals, and Amazon’s book rankings. I find that I get annoyed when I can’t find the right page quickly, so I just open a new one. (Hence, Gmail opens in three places)

What’s your favorite piece of equipment you’ve owned?
I love my AirPods because I can walk and talk without limits. Whenever possible, I ask people to call instead of Zoom. It’s an easy way to break up my day, and I also listen to it well.

What was the biggest disappointment?
Oculus. They sit on the shelf.

What creation are you most proud of?
I am very proud of that Body Electric the study was accepted for publication in a scientific journal. I’ve worked on thousands of audience engagement projects for over a decade, but this is the first to receive peer review support. It’s a real experience for me as a journalist, aspiring scientist!

What do you do when you’re stuck?
I take a long, tiring walk, even though I don’t feel well. Centuries of adventure travel have produced amazing books, recipes, and amazing ideas for what to make for dinner. I remind myself of how the body and brain respond to movement, listen to the creaking of my shoes, and then, within 15 minutes or so, I usually come unstuck.

When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
No. I have teenagers and elderly parents. As much as I don’t always want to be, I have to be approachable.

When was the last piece of screen you bought?
I buy books all the time. Reading on paper is the only method I can use for a long time.

What do you think should be confusing?
See above!

What would be the tagline of your biopic?
Manoush Zomorodi: A woman who never took an Uber if she could get there on foot.

What was the last GIF or meme you used?