

902: Michael Easter | Rewiring Your Scarcity Brain in a World of Excess
41 snips Sep 26, 2023
Michael Easter, author of Scarcity Brain, dives deep into how our evolutionary 'scarcity brain' can sabotage modern happiness. He discusses the damaging 'scarcity loops' that mimic addictive behaviors, driven by a constant craving for more in today's world of excess. Discover how tech and gambling exploit these loops and what we can learn from them. Easter also shares strategies to break free from harmful cycles while harnessing scarcity for positive influence, making this a thought-provoking exploration of human behavior.
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Scarcity Brain
- Moderation is key, but humans struggle with it.
- We often crave more than we need, whether it's possessions, food, or information.
Evolutionary Mismatch
- The scarcity mindset evolved to ensure survival in times of limited resources.
- This mindset now backfires in our modern world of abundance, leading to overconsumption.
Scarcity Loop
- The "scarcity loop" drives repetitive behavior with three elements: opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability.
- This loop is exploited by social media, dating apps, and shopping platforms.