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 Our 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 evaluations 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.