Deviced!: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World

by Doreen Dodgen-Magee

With current statistics suggesting that the average American over the age of 14 engages with screens upwards of 10 hours a day, the topic of our growing dependence upon technology applies to nearly everyone. While the effects differ at each point of development, real changes to the brain, relationships, and personal lives are well documented. Deviced! explores these alterations and offers a realistic look at how we can better use technology and break away from the bad habits we’ve formed.



Using personal stories, cutting edge research, and anecdotes from youth, parents, and professionals, Dodgen-Magee highlights the brain changes that result from excessive technology use and offers an approach to the digital world that enables more informed and lasting change and a healthier long-term perspective. Given that the reader is living within a culture of ever-changing and advancing technologies, Deviced! is written in such a way that its contents can weather the constantly changing digital landscape by focusing on the concepts of honest assessment and healthy boundary setting rather than on specific technologies or platforms.



Deviced! offers a mindful approach to assessing current technology use, breaking bad habits, setting new norms, and re-engaging with life with renewed richness and awareness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Technology, Book Club

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2018

About the author

Doreen Dodgen-Magee is an author, psychologist, researcher, and speaker. Her first book, Deviced! Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital Age, was published by Rowman & Littlefield and awarded the 2018 Gold Medal for Psychology by the Nautilus Book Awards. Publishers Weekly said about her book: “Psychologist Dodgen-Magee makes a detail-rich, persuasive case for the need to embrace technology yet also ‘make some conscious decisions about what place we want technology to hold in our lives.’…This educational, encouraging book leaves its audience with a plethora of helpful suggestions.”

Doreen’s writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Utne Reader, Psychology Today, and Health magazine as well as other popular press outlets. She has been interviewed and quoted in articles for the New York Times, Time magazine, Salon, the BBC, Vice, and Apartment Therapy. In addition, Doreen is a popular guest on nationally syndicated radio programs, morning television shows, and celebrated podcasts such as Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness and PRI’s Innovation Hub. She also has a loyal following for her personal blog, her Psychology Today blog, and her other social media platforms.

A prolific, sought-after national and international speaker, Doreen offers various talks and workshops on numerous topics related to the impact of digital overuse on health. Her continuing education workshops for medical and mental health professionals consistently sell out across the country. Displaying her ability to capture the attention of diverse groups, she is frequently re-booked for the following year when she speaks at universities and schools.

Dodgen-Magee is also a national spokesperson and Senior Survivor Fellow with Everytown for Gun Safety. Other professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association, DoJump Extremely Physical Theater (former Board Chair/Member), American Friends (Service Committee), Mom’s Demand Action Oregon, Women in Technology, and Women of Vision and Change.

As a clinical psychologist, Doreen has over twenty-five years of experience working with individuals and groups in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, as well as with people of all ages throughout the country and internationally.

Reviews

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading an article in the New York Times, I ran across an excerpt from this book, along with the author's name. Having had the happy fortune of experiencing her family's "radical hospitality" some thirty years ago, which truly changed my life, I was thrilled to discover this title. She is the real deal, and her efforts have resulted in a thoughtful and intelligent read.
While many of the topics covered in this book do not apply to me directly, they certainly apply to all of us, societally. (i.e. sexting, porn, gaming, raising children in an age of full access). A lot of discussions in our household have revolved around the rampant use of curated images, social media and doctored photos, and their affect on the psyche, especially as women. She has brought a clarity to what is truly happening, on a variety of fronts. Included are solutions for consideration, which makes it a standout in the genre.
Being a Luddite at heart, and an avid reader, I have noticed a decline in my ability to concentrate and in feelings of sensory overload that frustrated me. I have spent several years changing my physical environment, simplifying and rethinking my calendar, but she has offered some underlying root causes for this that I had not considered, and will now address.
Her challenge is to live a "fiery life" and give deep consideration to what that means and how to acheive it, while still actively engaging in the tools our technological devices offer. I find that a worthy challenge, indeed.
Outstanding work, doreen.

[Gregg Koskela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deviced! is not like any book I’ve read before, and that is a good thing. It’s marketed as a technology book, but it is much more about how to live in a healthy way in our world where technology is everywhere. Doreen Dodgen-Magee is able to weave together cutting edge research on technology; probing questions about how it impacts our brains, our thinking and our relationships; insightful psychological theory; and wisdom to bring it all together to help us live full, embodied and “fiery” lives.

Dodgen-Magee is a practicing therapist who has been studying the rapid change we have seen in technology. For years, she has been traveling as a speaker, and this book is the result of pulling that all together. She’s able to place research in a meaningful context, and talks about how her research has changed her; she’s learned to be nuanced and not black and white. Technology can help, and technology can be problematic, and she challenges us to be thoughtful and intentional about our use of it. Every chapter has practical suggestions for action.

Part 1 looks at how devices are impacting us, pulling together research and questions in ways I hadn’t considered before. Part II sets the goal of becoming a grounded self, specifically by not being dominated by outside people or things to define who we are, but choosing to live by our goals and values (an internal locus of control). Part III helps us assess and be truthful about our use of technology and gives practical help for establishing healthy norms and ending unhelpful habits.

I highly recommend this book for all of us. Whether you see yourself as an early adopter or a Luddite when it comes to technology, there’s enough here on healthy living and healthy relationships for everyone to benefit.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of us will admit that the way we communicate has changed drastically over the past 25 years. Email and the Internet have given us instant and broad-ranging access to people, institutions, news, and information. While much about this expanded access to knowledge and relationships can be positive, huge challenges and deep pitfalls loom. Doreen Dodgen-Magee's book, Deviced: Balanacing Life and Technology in a Digital World provides a path toward equilibrium.

Dodgen-Magee begins by explaining how our devices impact our lives and relationships. What happens to our bodies and our brains with increased technology use? How does our addiction to our devices influence our ability to build healthy relationships without and within? How can we move toward a more grounded self, with renewed attention and intention?

At first, I feared Deviced would read as a typical scientific treatise, with notes and jargon and dense explanations thrown in to demonstrate the intellectual prowess of the author. It is well-documented, but I needn't have worried. Dodgen-Magee's book is packed with information--yes--but it's never dense or heavy-handed. The beauty of Deviced is its gentle, non-judgmental tone.

Deviced is that rare informative book: smart, intelligent, and personable, but never preachy. And while there was plenty to challenge my own technology habits in its pages, I come away feeling oddly encouraged. I believe that's the strength of Dodgen-Magee's work here. Technology is here to stay, but it doesn't need to own us.

Doreen is passionate about helping individuals and groups find their center, and encourages all she meets to live embodied, "fiery" lives. She lives consistently and intentionally online and offline; she practices what she teaches. Those with young people still under their care will find this book particularly helpful.

[Kylan Pimley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of great info! I love her approach to parenting with technology. The chapter on spotting points opened up a new perspective for me!

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee is not technology-phobic. She has crafted a book that avoids a dooms-day mentality and instead challenges us to embrace technology with intentionality and an internal “locus of control.” She has compiled a wide array of research about tech and its impact on human-kind, and dispenses it in bite-size chunks that allow it to be digested. She provides practical tools, like the “Technology Pyramid” which challenges us to evaluate our use of devices and emphasize those things that do not limit or distract us from embodied and intentional living. The research chapter took a bit of work to wade through, but it was good to learn new information and provided a challenge to my everyday life. This book is helpful for all of us as we engage the rapid development of technology around us.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a slew of books on technology and how we've been rewired by social media, our pocket-computer/camera/phones, etc. I haven't managed to read any of them.

Deviced! was the first one that happened to land in my lap (through Moms Demand Action work), and I'm glad it did. Doreen's non-judgmental approach, acknowledgement of the difficulties of change, and focus on the core challenge is what I really needed. The book flows unevenly, and the use of text boxes and lists isn't the best way for me to read/ingest information.

But I couldn't help but love Doreen's purpose of radical hospitality, her effort to get us to work hard on what's important to us, and then to circle back into the question on how we might use - or not use - technology to get us there. A particularly interesting section on how Amish evaluate purchases was a highlight.

I highly recommend this book. And leaving your phone outside of your bedroom.

[Zephyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deviced offers a nice overview of data on tech use, common issues Americans face and how to take control of your tech use. I appreciated the author's take that tech use isn't one size fits all and some of the strategies offered to change your behavior how it suits you. I found the last third of the book a little bit repetitive and some suggestions too basic but I think that comes with the territory of trying to make a book about life with technology that can be broadly appealing/useful to many ages and types of people. Worth a read if you're interested.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I’ve just heard it all before…

Nothing new or riveting was shared. I think we have just all heard it and know the problems exist. I think there were some tips that could be useful (the meditation).

Other than that, I think we have to really think a bit more about the balance aspect, as technology and device usage is only going to increase. I’m just not sure this book gave us as much of a plan to do that as we could use.

Not sure if I’d recommend it. You probably already know everything it goes over.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) Critical of technology overuse
2) Practical
3) Insightful
Enjoyment: 3

For the technology enthusiasts, this book may feel highly critical of how most people utilize technology today. Dodgen-Magee advocates for people to experience the physical embodiment of living. She is concerned that our entrenched relationship with technology is hindering our ability to make connections of value and experience our fullest selves.

[Suzanne Cefola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to have a lot of good content for someone who is addicted to technology and would like to get themselves unaddicted. There are a lot of practical ways discussed and the science behind device addiction. The author also balances the use of technology and helps the reader to understand that technology can be used for good or bad and introduces tools to help you create the right balance in your life.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deviced clarified many of my thoughts and conflicts with technology in my daily life. Full of helpful hints for embracing technology and the reality of life, Deviced puts into perspective our need for human connectedness and the changing times.

[Johann Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing groundbreaking or illuminating here but a decent catalogue of relevant information and strategies. ***

[NIZAR N NAKFOOR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Brave New “Deviced” World.

The impact of technology on our lives is of great interest to me. So far, I have read more than fifty books about the topic and my interest in it keeps growing. Throughout my readings, I have found that majority of these books and their authors tend to fall into two major camps irrespective of whether they are pro or anti-technology:

1- Those who go deep into the psychological roots of the issue to such an extent that it becomes a theoretical philosophical intellectual journey with almost no practical implications.

2- Those who offer practical guidance and advice without going into the roots of the issue making it look as if it is just a matter of following few magic guidelines to achieve the desired outcome.

Very few books combine the strengths of both approaches without any compromises like this book does. I particularly liked the way the book is structured: In depth psychological analysis of our relationship with our devices from different angles, followed when applicable with a boxed section titled “Take Action” containing practical advice for consideration and implementation.

Here are some quotations from the book that best capture its essence:

- “Just as statistics related to technology engagement are a sticky subject , so , too , is the “ myth ” of there being a generational divide when it comes to technology… History provides us with ample examples of times when dividing civilizations into native and nonnative groups did horrible and irreversible harm to one or both groups . Reality is too complex to say that things “were better then” or “are better now, ” or that “ this generation does things this way ” and “ that one did them better / worse / more efficiently / less efficiently . ” Things simply were how they were then and are how they are now. Romanticizing the past or idealizing the present serves no one and tells a false story.” Location 225- 237

- “Until we live all our lives in digital spaces, we need at least some embodied people upon whom we can rely and who can, in turn, rely on us. Given this truth, at least some of our time needs to be spent creating and investing in relationships with embodied others. No matter how uncomfortable this is, we must make these relationships a priority.” Location 1545

- “… technology is here to stay, and it is neither all good nor all bad. It can make our lives better, and it can make them more difficult. Its impacts are real and complex, both in the positive and negative domains. I believe it’s time to stop claiming a space on the “pro” or “con” team and get active with what we know. It’s time to take a good , long , shame - free look at our own engagement ( as well as that of anyone we are responsible for helping shepherd into adulthood ) and to make some conscious decisions about what place we want technology to hold in our lives and the lives of our communities.” Location 3251

Finally, the only reason I did not rate it as five stars is because the author kept repeating the same central idea throughout the whole book. I mean by that the idea that instead of reverting to our inner selves to deal with loneliness, boredom, anxiety …. we revert to our devices and hence reinforcing our dependence on them. Indeed, it is a central theme which needs to be stressed but not by endless repetitions!

Bottom line, despite the above limitation, it is one of the most enlightening and interesting books I have read about our relationship with technology and our devices.

Nizar Nakfoor

[Jennifer Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading 'deviced' feels like finding a way through the mine fields of technological life, with a clear path home.

while we fear we are becoming robots, doreen dodgen-magee gives us permission to use our devices for the good, while gently guiding us to balance them with a little inconvenience for the sake of an embodied life.

following doreen on social media throughout the covid pandemic has brought more peace than i can say. she gives us all permission to feel our feelings, and practical ways to live more fully in this technological world.