#343: From Scarcity to Intentionality with Michael Easter
Jan 29, 2024
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Michael Easter, bestselling author and esteemed professor, discusses the Scarcity Loop and intentional thinking. Topics include the detrimental effects of comfort on health, addictive behaviors, self-regulation in a digital world, and breaking free from patterns of excess.
The scarcity loop leads to addictive behaviors in slot machines and social media.
Overconsumption and addictive behaviors are fueled by human cravings for resources that were once scarce.
Breaking free from the scarcity loop requires acknowledging discomfort and making gradual changes in behavior.
Deep dives
Creating a Relationship Event
The podcast hosts announce an upcoming event in Vancouver that will focus on relationships. They share their excitement for reconnecting with their audience and discussing all things relationships, whether single or in a partnership.
The Scarcity Loop in Slot Machines and Social Media
The podcast highlights how the scarcity loop is the key to the addictive nature of slot machines and social media. The loop consists of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, which leads people to repeat behaviors. The podcast reveals how tech companies use this loop to increase time spent on their platforms and discusses the research conducted in a casino laboratory.
Cravings and the Evolutionary Perspective
The podcast explores human cravings and their evolutionary origins. It discusses how humans are predisposed to crave things like food, possessions, information, and status due to their past scarcity. However, with an abundance of these resources in modern society, individuals can find themselves trapped in overconsumption and addictive behaviors. The podcast suggests finding alternative behaviors that offer long-term rewards and deeper meaning as a way to break free from the scarcity loop.
Understanding the Scarcity Loop and Overcoming Discomfort
The podcast episode explores the concept of the scarcity loop, which refers to the behaviors and habits we engage in to fulfill our cravings, whether it's food, information, or status. The host discusses the discomfort that arises when trying to break free from this loop and encourages people to be aware of it. By acknowledging the discomfort and gradually making changes in behavior, people can start to overcome the scarcity loop. The speaker draws a parallel to exercise, explaining that initially, new behaviors may be challenging, but with repetition, they become easier. The key is to understand that changing behaviors is not easy, but with awareness and perseverance, it is possible.
The Impact of the Scarcity Loop on Society
The podcast delves into the consequences of the scarcity loop on society. It highlights the excessive amount of time people spend on digital media, such as smartphones and social media platforms. The speaker emphasizes that while some digital media consumption may not be inherently bad, excessive use can lead to a lack of intentionality in how individuals spend their time. This can result in missed opportunities for meaningful pursuits and personal growth. The podcast also discusses how addiction to social media and other behaviors are often rooted in an absence of deeper connections, personal value, or meaning in life. The podcast suggests that regulating social media usage for young people and creating awareness around the reasons behind addictive behaviors can be beneficial in fostering healthier habits and improving overall well-being.
In this episode, I welcome back Michael Easter, a bestselling author and esteemed professor. Michael shares what the Scarcity Loop is and how to move towards more intentional thinking and decision making. We discuss the detrimental effects comfort can have on our health, the mechanics behind addictive behaviors, and strategies for self-regulation in an increasingly addictive digital landscape. This is a great episode to heighten awareness around our everyday habits and what ways we could be more intentional moving forward.
Michael Easter is the author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, to be released in September 2023, and a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. When he's not writing and traveling for his books, he writes the weekly 2% Newsletter.
—Newsletter: https://unique-painter-9003.ck.page/441934d2f0
—Website: http://eastermichael.com
If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves
Themes: Authenticity, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Dating, Transformation, Conflict, Mental Health, Purpose, Scarcity, Addiction, Addictive Behavior, Self-Regulation
0:00:00 Intro
0:03:11 Observing Human Behavior and Overconsumption in Las Vegas
0:09:24 The Scarcity Loop: Unpredictable Rewards and Repeatability
0:12:53 Pigeon Studies and the Attraction to the Scarcity Loop
0:16:31 Wired for Unpredictable Reward Games
0:19:42 Society's Acceptance of Harmful Behaviors and Minimizing their Impact
0:23:24 The Lack of Immediate Consequences for Excessive Social Media Use
0:26:57 Embracing the Discomfort of Interrupting the Loop
0:27:16 Changing Behaviors: The Challenge of Consciousness
0:29:32 The Impact of Time Spent on Digital Media
0:33:04 Lack of Exposure to Diverse Thought and Experience
0:36:04 The Art of Capturing Attention
0:40:01 Negativity bias in media and its impact on worldview
0:46:36 Monetizing Opportunity and Rewards in Dating Apps
0:49:56 Cravings and the Evolutionary Drive of Scarcity
0:53:08 Pigeons and their Surprising Gambling Choices
0:54:44 The Need for Stimulation and Optimal Stimulation Theory
1:03:31 Anthropologists and Human Behavior
1:07:24 Realizing the Short-Term Benefits and Long-Term Consequences
This episode is sponsored by Organifi: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.organifi.com/createthelove
Contact us at podcast@markgroves.com for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!
