"Two crackerjack science journalists from NPR look at why some things (and some people!) drive us crazy. It happens everywhere--offices, schools, even your own backyard. Plus, seemingly anything can trigger it cell phones, sirens, bad music, constant distractions, your boss, or even your spouse. We all know certain things get under our skin. Can science explain why? Palca and Lichtman take you on a scientific quest through psychology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and other disciplines to uncover the truth about being annoyed. What is the recipe for annoyance? For starters, it should be temporary, unpleasant, and unpredictable, like a boring meeting or mosquito bites. Gives fascinating, surprising explanations for why people react the way they do to everything from chili peppers to fingernails on a blackboard. Explains why irrational behavior (like tearing your hair out in traffic) is connected to worthwhile behavior (like staying on task) Includes tips for identifying your own irritating habits.... The insights are fascinating, the exploration is fun, and the knowledge you gain, if you act like you know everything, can be really annoying."-- "A scientific look at something that affects us all--annoying spouses, car alarms, fingernails on a chalkboard, coworkers, missed planes, bad dreams, dropped calls, bed bugs, even the sounds coming out of everyone else's iPod--while still being humorous, surprising, and helpful"-- Provided by publisher. Provided by publisher.

A note from the authors -- Introduction : Cell phones -- A noise annoys -- A case of mistaken identity -- Fingernails on a chalkboard -- Skunked -- Bugged by bugs : an epic bugging -- Who moved their cheese? -- The terror of perfect pitch -- Dissonant -- Breaking the rules -- He's just not that annoyed by you -- Better late than never doesn't apply here -- When your mind becomes a foreign country -- The annoyed brain -- False alarms -- Conclusion.