I think Don’t Unplug has the potential to inform readers, but I struggled getting into this one. Unfortunately, this one is now in my DNF pile.

DON'T UNPLUG by Chris Dancy is subtitled "How Technology Saved My Life and Can Save Yours, Too." I requested this book because of concerns about the amount of screen time that our students experience and it seemed that Dancy might provide an alternate point of view in contrast to articles like "Digital Devices in the Classroom Can Hinder Long-term Retention" or "Digital Text is Changing How Kids Read." Ironically, that second article seems to describe my admittedly somewhat unfair approach to Dancy's new text. The article describes "more time spent browsing, scanning and skimming than in-depth reading," with less patience with being bored in contrast to "reading's payoff [which] often comes after some effort and maybe even a little boredom in the beginning." Yes, I did browse, scan and skim through DON'T UNPLUG and although I recognize that Dancy is consider an expert in this area, I definitely had some boredom at the beginning of his text. Unfortunately, I also found his tone to be rather condescending ("are you holding a book right now? A real, physical book? Can you admit that it makes you feel slightly superior that you aren't on a screen?" What?!).

I wondered, too, if our students could relate at all. Other than telling some stories about his own, long ago high school years, he barely mentions school or education and technology's impact. And, when he does, it is with that same, disparaging tone, saying, for example, "I shudder to think about a school teacher downloading lesson plans from a shared site." Has he not heard of collaboration? Customization? The debate over screen time and increased disruption from the Internet of Things is an important one that has been going on for a while (see Winter of Our Disconnect, for example) and will continue so give DON'T UNPLUG a pass and look for other texts instead, including the research-based iGen by Twenge.

Links to articles:
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-08-17-digital-devices-in-the-classroom-can-hinder-long-term-retention
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/49092/digital-text-is-changing-how-kids-read-just-not-in-the-way-that-you-think

Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.
I was first struck by the honesty of the author in sharing the need to change his life. When he found himself addicted to technology, overweight and depressed he was encouraged by a accounting kept by his Mother of his childhood events to change his life . His plan was to use that same technology to better his life rather then go down the same path he had been on. he evaluated his problems sensibly and began to work on them one by one.
This is the story of how social media, apps, and technology based life lead to positive change for the author. This is his story of how he incorporated his technology knowledge to better himself, break bad habits and become the person his Mother believed him to be.
This is a raw honest account and I enjoyed reading his story. There are valuable lessons here for all of us. While some of us are striving to distance ourselves from technology daily this is someone who turned it around to work best for him. I appreciate the honesty here and its a interesting read.

This is a uniquely crafted personal life story of one man’s life story while at the same time integrating hi tech career experience and key learnings for a happier, more effective life.

The more he was connected to the computer apps and social media, the more information he had available to optimize his life. At first when readin this story I thought the book would be helpful to only those the are digital for a job, but the more I read the more I appreciated the all inclusive sharing contained in the book. There are tips for everyone continued within... social media, apps, health, diet and exercise, self live etc. I think it’s a quick read and one that many can gain important insight from.