Michael Easter, Professor of Journalism at UNLV and author of Scarcity Brain, discusses addictive behavior and tactics to manage cravings in a world built to exploit them. They explore why we can't get enough and delve into the impact of social media, the addictive nature of certain behaviors, and corporate manipulation. The podcast also addresses the importance of mental health professionals, the effects of anxiety, and the significance of ordinary experiences and emotions.
The scarcity loop, consisting of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, drives addictive behavior and difficulty in moderation in today's world of abundance.
Survivors of maternal sexual abuse require support, therapy, and professional help to process trauma and navigate the complexities of memory, interpretation, and disclosure.
Social media platforms incentivize point scoring and can shift individuals' intentions and behaviors, emphasizing the need for mindfulness and awareness when using these platforms.
Deep dives
The Scarcity Loop and its Impact on Human Behavior
The podcast episode explores the concept of the scarcity loop, a three-part behavior cycle that drives people to repeat certain behaviors. The loop consists of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability. It originated from the design of slot machines but has been applied to various areas of life, such as social media, dating apps, and financial apps. This loop taps into our ancient brain wiring for seeking rewards, but in today's world of abundance, it can lead to addictive behavior and difficulty in moderation. The episode also touches on the impact of technology and research in manipulating human behavior for financial gain.
Understanding and Addressing Childhood Sexual Abuse by a Mother
The podcast discusses the experience of a survivor who endured childhood sexual abuse by their mother. The survivor expresses confusion, shame, and guilt associated with the inappropriate behaviors they experienced. They delve into the challenge of understanding how a mother could perpetrate such acts, and the complexities of memory, interpretation, and self-blame. The survivor shares their journey of seeking therapy and processing the trauma, including the struggles of disclosing the abuse to their partner and others. The episode emphasizes the importance of support and professional help for survivors of maternal sexual abuse.
Dealing with Fear, Trauma, and Addiction
The podcast addresses the topics of fear, trauma, and addiction. It explores the fear of loss of trust in other people, particularly regarding the survivor's daughter, and the impact of trauma on relationships. The episode also discusses the struggle with addiction and the fear of acting on same-sex attraction due to past experiences. The survivor shares their journey of healing, therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, and the challenges of opening up to loved ones about their experiences. The importance of seeking professional help and the potential benefits of support groups are highlighted in navigating these complex issues.
The Influence of Social Media on Intent and Behavior
Social media platforms are designed to incentivize point scoring, leading individuals to prioritize popularity and likes over their original intent. For example, on Instagram, the desire for more likes and followers can change how people use the app and even how they live their lives. The same phenomenon occurs on Twitter, where a tweet going viral can shift a philosopher's mindset to focus on crafting short, viral tweets rather than delving deeper into complex ideas. This highlights the importance of being mindful of our intentions and motivations when using social media and engaging in actions.
Understanding Scarcity Brain and Managing Behavior
The podcast episode discusses the concept of scarcity brain and how it influences our behaviors. By becoming aware of the power of the scarcity loop, which includes unpredictable rewards, quick repeatability, and scarcity itself, individuals can take steps to manage their behaviors. For instance, changing the phone screen to grayscale reduces the inherent reward of using a phone, while setting boundaries like only buying things in person slows down impulsive online shopping. Recognizing and modifying the elements of the scarcity loop can lead to healthier behaviors and decision-making.
Michael Easter (@Michael_Easter) is a Professor of Journalism at UNLV who joins Paul to discuss the topic of his new book, Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough. Michael shares his findings when it comes to answering the question: Why can’t we ever get enough? He and Paul discuss addictive behavior and tactics to manage cravings in a world built to exploit them.
