Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave by Adam Alter

Adam Alter's Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave, is an exploration into the forces that drive our daily lives and can shape the way we think, feel, and behave. By examining a wide array of behaviors, from the impact of color and music on our emotions, to the intriguing and often overlooked phenomenon of "habit tracking", Alter seeks to answer an intriguing neurological and anthropological question: why do we do the things we do?

The book begins with an analysis of the influence physical color can have on our psychology and behavior. In one chapter, Alter explains the power of 'Drunk Tank Pink', a color which has been found to have a calming and emotionally stabilizing effect on inmates in prison settings. Alter then delves into the power of music, from classical to techno, and its ability to tap into our moods and evoke certain emotions. For example, he notes that hip-hop can alter our energy levels and enhance motivation, while slower music can help lower our heart rate and lessen feelings of anxiety.

Alter goes beyond physical and auditory influence, delving into the influence of ideas we collect and subconsciously share with each other. This concept of "social contagion" examines how messages and emotions are spread without any direct contact between people, with one example Alter refers to as "the iPod Man" – individuals who began to dress similarly after the Apple iPod arrived in the marketplace. He also examines the surprising power of subtle differences in our environment to alter our behavior, pointing to the role of "priming" in controlling our behavior.

Alter's Drunk Tank Pink is not just a psychological treatise, but also a practical guide to better understanding the forces that control us. He speaks of the power of habit tracking to improve our recollection of our activities, and provides some tips on how to establish good habits and avoid bad ones. Alter also introduces the concept of smartphones being used as an artificial intelligence agent, a personal assistant to help us make better decisions.

Overall, Drunk Tank Pink is both an engaging and informative read. Alter's exploration of the ways in which people are influenced by the environment around us is an enlightening look into why we make the choices we do, and why we tend to fall into certain behaviors. From the power of color on our emotions to the influence of social contagion, the forces that shape our psychology and behavior are explored in a thoughtful and often humorous way. It's a must-read for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how we interact with the world around us.