This chapter explores the parallels between fishing, playing slot machines, and engaging in compulsive behavior. It discusses the addictive nature of pre-digital forms of gambling, the transition to a more digital world of compulsive behavior, and the theory that our ancestors' survival depended on random rewards. The chapter also examines the idea that engaging in challenging activities can reduce the likelihood of addiction and highlights the importance of understanding the underlying motivations behind excessive behavior.
Slot machines, social media, and potato chips: we humans seem to find a lot of things hard to consume in moderation. Why does "enough" seem so much harder to say than "more?" Listen as Michael Easter discusses these questions and his book, The Scarcity Brain, with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. Easter shares ways that our awareness of how our brain works can help us reclaim balance--in our diets, our money, our emotions, and how we spend our time.