About this ebook
Outsmart the Algorithm pulls back the curtain on the invisible systems that shape your digital life. From social media feeds designed to keep you scrolling to recommendation engines that narrow your worldview, this book reveals how the code that curates your reality actually works—and more importantly, how you can reclaim your time, attention, and autonomy.
You'll discover:
• How your data is collected, profiled, and sold without you realizing it
• The psychological tricks embedded in every app you use daily
• Why your feed looks different from everyone else's—and what that means for your beliefs
• How dopamine-driven design turns harmless scrolling into compulsive habits
• Practical, proven strategies to break free from echo chambers, resist manipulative design, and protect your personal information
• How to build a digital life that serves your values instead of consuming them
Whether you're a student drowning in notifications, a professional distracted by endless feeds, or simply someone who suspects there's more to life than what your screen shows you, this book offers actionable steps to outsmart the algorithm and live with purpose.
Each chapter combines cutting-edge research, real-world examples, and practical exercises designed to help you build a healthier relationship with technology. No jargon. No code. Just clear, honest guidance for anyone ready to stop scrolling on autopilot and start living with intention.
Stop letting the algorithm decide who you are. Take back your attention. Reclaim your time. Outsmart the code.
Your digital life is yours to design.
Discover more
About the author
Michele Hall Lockrey is a writer, educator, and advocate for intentional technology use. With a background in behavioral psychology and over fifteen years of experience studying the intersection of human behavior and digital design, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations navigate the modern attention economy with clarity and purpose.
Her work explores the hidden mechanisms of algorithmic influence, offering practical strategies for reclaiming focus, protecting privacy, and building technology habits that enhance rather than diminish our humanity. Michele's insights have been featured in numerous publications on digital wellness, productivity, and mindful living, and she has spoken at conferences and workshops worldwide.
When she's not writing or speaking, Michele can be found hiking trails without her phone, reading physical books, and enjoying uninterrupted conversations with the people she loves. She lives with the conviction that the best things in life happen when you look up.
