The Man Who Lied To His Laptop: What We Can Learn About Ourselves from Our Machines

Startling insights into persuasion, trust, empathy, and teamwork based on revelations about how we treat out computers.

Clifford Nass is one of the world’s leading experts on how people interact with technology. After two decades studying problems like BMW’s GPS, Microsoft’s Clippy (the most hated animated character of all time), and online evaluation that led people to lie to their laptops, he developed a powerful theory- Our brains can’t fundamentally distinguish between interacting with people and interacting with devices. We will protect a computer’s feelings, feel flattered by a brown-nosing piece of software, and even do favors for technology that has been ‘nice’ to us. All without even realizing it.

Based on his research at Stanford, Nass explores the essential rules for effective human relationships. He has found that the most powerful strategies for working with people aren’t really that complicated, and can be learned from watching what succeeds and fails in technology interfaces, In other words, if a computer can make friends, build teams, and calm powerful emotions so can any of us

‘Filled with insights about an increasingly important part of our lives.’ Steven Pinker, author of The Stuff of Thought

‘With engaging illustrations and compelling evidence, Clifford Nass shows how interactions with our most advanced machines reveal out most primitive workings.’ Robert B. Cialdini, author of Influence- Science and Practice

‘The Man Who Lied to His Laptop is brilliantly accessible and will give you breakthrough insights about the single most important secret to success in business and life-building better relationships!’ Mark Thompson, co-author of Success Built to Last and Now, Build a Great Business!