Humans are naturally programmed to avoid negative feelings of discomfort, as those feelings historically prompted problem-solving for survival. However, modern tools allow for instant avoidance of discomfort, creating a conflict between our ancient instincts geared for problem-solving for survival and the comfort-seeking behavior encouraged by modern conveniences. This mismatch causes confusion and maladaptive behavior as seeking comfort, once a survival mechanism, is now detrimental.
Are we using technology to make ourselves numb? What’s the downside of air conditioning? And was Angela the most annoying person in her college classes?
- RESOURCES:
- "World Happiness Report," (Gallup, 2024).
- "How Painful Should Your Workout Be?" by Alex Hutchinson (The New York Times, 2022).
- "Taylor Swift’s NYU Commencement Speech: Read the Full Transcript," by Hannah Dailey (Billboard, 2022).
- The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self, by Michael Easter (2021).
- The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning, by Paul Bloom (2021).
- "Residents of Poor Nations Have a Greater Sense of Meaning in Life Than Residents of Wealthy Nations," by Shigehiro Oishi and Ed Diener (Psychological Science, 2014).
- "Confusion Can Be Beneficial for Learning," by Sidney D’Mello, Blair Lehman, Reinhard Pekrun, and Art Graesser (Learning and Instruction, 2014).
- "Stranger Situations: Examining a Self-Regulatory Model of Socially Awkward Encounters," by Joshua Clegg (Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 2012).