Manoush Zomorodi, known for her work as a reporter, podcast host, and author, has released her latest book, Body Electric, which examines the effects of technology on our physical health. This book is a collaboration between NPR and Columbia University Medical Center and serves as a follow-up to her previous work, Bored and Brilliant, which looked at the impact of technology on mental health.
From Podcasts to Publications
Zomorodi’s books stem from her extensive podcasting career, where she led WNYC's Note to Self and hosted NPR’s TED Radio Hour. Her 2017 TED Talk on boredom has garnered over seven million views, reflecting her influence in exploring the intersection of technology and personal well-being.
In discussing her productivity and relationship with technology, Zomorodi shared insights into her daily tech habits and preferences.
Daily Tech Habits
When asked about her essential apps, Zomorodi expressed her long-term reliance on Pocket for saving articles, lamenting its shutdown by Mozilla. She now uses Matter, appreciating its usefulness for research storage and its superior highlighting feature.
Zomorodi also noted her physical discomfort from prolonged phone use, wishing for a more ergonomic interaction with her devices and expressing reluctance to adopt Meta glasses.
Gadgets and Productivity
Zomorodi keeps 37 tabs open on her devices, including Google Docs, Riverside, LinkedIn, email, scientific articles, and Amazon book rankings. She admits to frustration when tabs become unwieldy, often leading her to open multiple instances of Gmail.
Her favorite gadget remains her AirPods, which allow for unencumbered movement and phone calls over Zoom, helping her incorporate more physical activity into her day.
Conversely, Zomorodi finds her Oculus headset disappointing, as it gathers dust on a shelf.
Personal Milestones and Preferences
One of Zomorodi's proudest achievements is the publication of the Body Electric study in a scientific journal, marking a significant milestone in her career.
To overcome creative blocks, Zomorodi turns to long walks, a practice she finds helps stimulate her mind and generate ideas.
Despite the omnipresence of technology, she never leaves home without her phone, citing responsibilities to her teenage children and elderly parents.
Regarding physical media, Zomorodi frequently buys books, finding reading on paper crucial for processing lengthy texts. She humorously suggests her biopic's tagline would be: "Manoush Zomorodi: The woman who never took an Uber if she could get there on foot."
For a touch of humor, her last shared GIF was of a cat, reflecting her playful side.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/report/930171/manoush-zomorodi-body-electric-npr-questionnaire
