Scarcity Brain

“But when we try to gamify ordinary life,” said Nguyen, “we’re trying to impose clear values on a preexisting thicket of values, on a system that is very uncertain and complex.” We abide by silly rules in the name of arbitrary points for parts of life that aren’t silly and arbitrary. Nguyen continued: “So instead of figuring out why you care about

Addiction is chronically seeking a reward despite negative consequences.

Some scholars estimate that in one day we are now exposed to more information than a person in the fifteenth century encountered in their entire lifetime.

“You risk so much by hesitating to fling yourself into the abyss.”

scarcity cue is a piece of information that fires on what researchers call our scarcity mindset. It leads us to believe we don’t have enough. We then instinctually fixate on attaining or doing that one thing we think will solve our problem and make us feel whole.

“Problematic technology use is about the interaction between the product, the person, and their ability to cope with discomfort, and then a situation in their life that causes a pain that they’re not equipped to deal with. When you have the confluence of these three factors at the same time, it can create an experience you can put yourself into whe

So the tweak to the basic learning and behavior formula is this: We do a thing. But we’re not sure when we’ll get the rewarding thing or just how rewarding it’ll be. This makes us really, really want the rewarding thing. So we’re likely to keep trying and trying and trying and trying for the rewarding thing.

By detaching from material things, the monks are freer to attach to a bigger thing. If everything is everyone’s, nothing takes on any special significance beyond another tool for the job. It’s gear, not stuff.

I think part of it is taking small risks in everyday life. Seeking adventure and experiences that build perspective.” These risks and adventures can be both big and small. Problems from escaping into the scarcity loop are often a signal. They indicate that it’s time to make uncomfortable choices that force the will to live.