How New Addictions are Destroying Us
Then & Now・2 minutes read
Addiction, whether substance or behavioral, is evolving in the modern world towards online platforms, raising concerns about the impact on individuals. The rise of post-modern addictions like social media and gaming addiction is fueled by dopamine, limbic capitalism, and manipulative techniques used by tech industries, requiring individuals to replace addictive behaviors with meaningful habits and for institutions to protect vulnerable groups.
Insights
- Addiction encompasses a wide range of substances and behaviors, including social media and gaming, highlighting the shift towards online addictions in the modern world.
- The use of dopamine triggers, limbic capitalism, and digital manipulations by industries like Big Tech contribute to addictive behaviors, emphasizing the need for individuals and institutions to address and mitigate the impact of post-modern addictions.
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Recent questions
What are the common types of addiction?
Substance and behavioral addictions.
How does addiction relate to modern technology?
Addiction is shifting towards online platforms.
What role does dopamine play in addiction?
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in addiction.
How does limbic capitalism contribute to addiction?
Limbic capitalism exploits psychological vulnerabilities.
What can individuals do to combat addiction?
Replace addictive behaviors with meaningful habits.
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Summary
00:00
"Modern Addictions: From Substance to Cyber"
- Addiction encompasses substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, as well as behavioral addictions like work, social media, gaming, and YouTube.
- The modern world is shifting towards online addictions, with our psychologies merging into cyber psychologies dependent on technology.
- Compulsions towards clickbait, likes, and doom scrolling are prevalent, raising concerns about the impact on individuals.
- The transition from a scarcity-based society to one of abundance has led to a new problem of excess, fueling addictive behaviors.
- The rise of post-modern addictions, such as social media addiction and gaming addiction, is becoming a widespread issue.
- Addiction is defined as a treatable chronic medical disease involving brain circuits, genetics, environment, and life experiences.
- Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a central role in addiction, with cues and hooks triggering its release in anticipation of rewards.
- Limbic capitalism targets our deepest desires, promoting excessive compulsion and addiction through various industries and technologies.
- The attention economy under limbic capitalism dangles digital drugs that entice and persuade individuals, exploiting their psychological vulnerabilities.
- Goals, metrics, and comparisons in the digital age contribute to addictive behaviors, with social media and wearable tech devices facilitating goal tracking effortlessly.
21:34
Addictive Technologies: Seeking, Chasing, and Regulating
- Hunter-gatherers are wired to seek the new, whether in the wild or digital wilderness, as exploring is addictive.
- Big Tech has learned from the gambling industry, utilizing the "maybe factor" to release dopamine, making the chase more thrilling than the win itself.
- Social media uses variable reinforcement, where rewards vary, to train users into sharing habits.
- Luck ambassadors are employed to keep users engaged, offering freebies when they are near giving up.
- The internet amplifies stimulating content's impact through efficient delivery mechanisms, likened to a slot machine.
- To combat post-modern addictions, individuals must replace addictive behaviors with meaningful habits and avoid triggers.
- Institutions, schools, governments, and tech giants have a duty to protect vulnerable individuals from addictive technologies.
- Regulation and expectations should be designed to protect vulnerable groups like children and addicts from the harmful effects of addictive technologies.
