#690 - Michael Easter - Why Can’t Humans Do Anything In Moderation?
Oct 7, 2023
auto_awesome
Michael Easter, a health expert and author, dives deep into why moderation feels so elusive for many of us. He discusses the 'scarcity loop' that drives our impulse control issues, linking our modern challenges back to our evolutionary instincts. The conversation reveals how technology and social media can exacerbate addictive behaviors, while exploring our unhealthy dependencies on certainty. With insights into consumerism and intentionality, Easter encourages listeners to navigate the modern world with mindfulness and awareness.
The scarcity loop, driven by our ancestors' experiences of scarcity, plays a significant role in our inability to achieve moderation in various aspects of life.
The allure of the scarcity loop lies in its ability to provide a temporary escape from the complexities of everyday life through repeatable, unpredictably rewarding experiences.
The focus on observable metrics and gamification has shifted our goals and prioritized quantity over quality, leading to a potential loss of purpose and meaning in our actions.
Deep dives
Scarcity loop: How excess abundance leads to overindulgence
The podcast episode discusses how our ancestors' experiences of scarcity have shaped our behavior in a world of abundance. The scarcity loop, a three-part behavior loop consisting of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, is explored as a driving force behind our inability to achieve moderation. Examples such as our relationship with food, ownership of material possessions, and exposure to information showcase how we still possess a strong drive to seek and consume more, despite having an abundance of resources. The podcast also delves into how the scarcity loop is utilized in various technologies and industries, such as social media, personal finance apps, and even gambling, highlighting its impact on our behaviors and decision-making.
The allure of escape and addiction to the scarcity loop
The episode discusses how the scarcity loop acts as a powerful escape mechanism, offering a temporary reprieve from the complexities of everyday life. The allure of the scarcity loop lies in its ability to engross us in a repeatable game-like experience, providing unpredictable opportunities for reward. This addictive quality is examined through various examples, including slot machines, social media platforms, and dating apps. The podcast also delves into addiction as a symptom of larger issues, drawing on the example of addiction to the drug Captain Gone in Iraq. Throughout the discussion, the negative consequences of overindulging in the scarcity loop are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of moderation and balance.
The impact of gamification on behavior and shifting goals
The episode explores how gamification and the focus on observable metrics have influenced our behaviors and shifted our goals. By attaching numbers and gamified features to various aspects of life, such as social media engagement, personal fitness, or even wine ratings, people are driven to chase higher numbers and engage in behaviors that enhance their observable metrics. The discussion highlights how this shift can lead individuals to prioritize quantity over quality or lose sight of the original purpose or meaning behind their actions. Examples from politics, social media, and professional life demonstrate the impact of gamification on various domains and underscore the need for a deeper understanding of the hidden metrics, such as peace of mind, health, and quality relationships.
The complexity of addiction
Addiction is a complex issue that cannot simply be attributed to individual behavior or character. The podcast explores the misconception that addiction is solely the result of personal failure or moral weakness. It highlights the example of soldiers in Vietnam who, despite being exposed to drugs, managed to return home and avoid relapse. This suggests that addiction is influenced by various factors such as brain chemistry, environment, and life circumstances, challenging the notion that addiction is a simple matter of personal choice.
The craving for certainty
The podcast delves into the human desire for certainty and how it fuels our behavior and decision-making. It discusses our tendency to seek answers and validation in a world where information is abundant and often conflicting. The podcast argues that this craving for certainty can lead to vulnerability, making us susceptible to manipulation and misinformation. It emphasizes the need to be critical consumers of information, questioning our own biases and being open to the possibility of uncertainty. By recognizing the role certainty plays in our lives, we can strive for a healthier perspective that embraces uncertainty and the inherent complexities of the world.
Michael Easter is a University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor, a journalist and an author who focuses on health and human performance.
Even though we might often feel in control of our impulses, there are regular moments that remind us of our uncontrolled tendencies. From overspending to overeating, there is a secret loop happening inside of our minds that causes our actions and intentions to move further apart
Expect to learn why moderation is so impossible to achieve, what humans actually want the most out of life, what the scarcity loop is and how it drives your behaviour, if it's possible to become dependent on certainty, whether humans are more likely to chase happiness or avoid discomfort, Michael’s contrarian opinion on first world problems and much more...
