Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough

by Michael Easter

An in-depth exploration of why humans are built to crave, from the author of The Comfort Crisis

Are we hardwired to crave more? From food and stuff to information and influence, why can't we ever get enough?

Michael Easter, author of The Comfort Crisis and one of the world's leading experts on behaviour change, shows that the problem isn't you. The problem is your scarcity mindset, left over from our ancient ancestors. They had to constantly seek and consume to survive because vital survival tools like food, material goods, information, and power were scarce and hard to find. But with our modern ability to easily fulfil our ancient desire for more, our hardwired "scarcity brain" is now backfiring. And new technology and institutions - from dating and entertainment apps to our food and economic systems - are exploiting our scarcity brain. They're bombarding us with subversive "scarcity cues," subtle triggers that lead us into low-reward cravings that hurt us in the long run. Scarcity cues can be direct and all-encompassing, like a sagging economy. Or they can be subtle and slight, like our neighbour buying a shiny new car.

Easter traveled the world to consult with remarkable innovators and leading scientists who are finding surprising solutions for our scarcity brain. He discovered simple tactics that can move us towards an abundance mindset, cement healthy habits, and allow us to live our lives to the fullest and appreciate what we have, including how

- Detect hidden scarcity cues to stop cravings before they start, from a brilliant slot machine designer in a Las Vegas casino laboratory

- Turn alone time into the ultimate happiness hack, from artisanal coffee-making Benedictine monks Reignite your exploration gene for a more exciting and fulfilling life, from an astronaut onboard the International Space Station

- Reframe how we think about and fix addiction and bad habits, from Iraq's chief psychiatrist

- Recognize when you have enough, from a woman who left a million-dollar career path to adventure the world

Our world is overloaded with everything we're built to crave. The fix for scarcity brain isn't to blindly aim for less. It's to understand why we crave more in the first place, shake our worst habits, and use what we already have better. Then we can experience life in a new way - a more satisfying way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Health, Personal Development, Science

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published September 26, 2023

About the author

Michael Easter is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a contributing editor at Men’s Health magazine, columnist for Outside magazine, and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His work has appeared in over sixty countries and can also be found in Men’s Journal, New York, Vice, Scientific American, Esquire, and others. He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and two dogs.

Reviews

[Christine Bauman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of Scarcity Brain.

I've read a number of these brain-hacking books over the years, and while Scarcity Brain had a few things I really liked, overall I did not find it as useful as others.

First off, I'll go over what I liked. I really appreciated the premise; that we all fall into repetitive actions that veer into overindulgence in our modern era. Many of us struggle with it. I enjoyed reading about how natural this mental process is, and how rooted in the evolution of our hunter/gatherer pasts. I liked reading about gambling and "gamification".

I enjoyed getting a clear understanding of "the what", but did not find "the how" sections as helpful in combating "Scarcity Loops". I found the people he interviewed to be largely those who escaped modern life entirely or were never part of it (astronaut, survivalist, monk etc.), not those who (like many readers) exist in low to middle class lifestyles and are trapped in 9 to 5 jobs to keep families afloat. I'm a mom of 3 and I have to raise my family surrounded by these triggers. I cannot escape to a new environment.

Maybe he could have interviewed a more ordinary person like me. I would tell him I use the library for the dopamine, and thrift shops to mimic "the hunt". I challenge myself with online recipes as a way to eat cheap and be grateful for my delicious food. Even NetGalley is a free form of "treasure hunting with unpredictable rewards". (Thanks NG!) And lastly, I garden as a way to keep an ongoing sense of exploration in my life. I dream of escaping to a farm but at the moment, we can't afford to leave the suburbs.

I had the same problem with James Clear's Atomic Habits (who once suggested giving money away as a self-punishment for failing a habit. Which in case it's not obvious, is not a viable suggestion for someone with food or wealth insecurity.) Suggestions like that come across as out of touch with lower class folks who truly live with scarcity. I wish books like this did more to address day to day solutions for average people.

I also didn't appreciate the solution of Christianity to cope. To toss it in at the end of the book felt a little bamboozley in a secular book. I find religion to be a regressive suggestion for the kind of change non-religious people wish to see in the world.

This book might be more useful for religious, the wealthy, or those unencumbered by children, none of which happen to apply to me. But I appreciate the discussion being started.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. This reads like a collection of the author’s personal stories and explaining how he gathered his research more than helpful ways to stop the scarcity loop.

I had the feeling I was reading a biography telling me about his “cool” adventures, and tacked on were some hypotheses/findings about the scarcity loop. Those stories are not what I’m looking for in a book about the mind. I appreciate a well-researched book, and am very interested in this topic, but the amount of stories glorifying the author’s life and travels annoyed me too much to finish.

[JanB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect non-fiction book to start the new year that explores the WHY behind our striving for more despite having an abundance.
Fascinating!

[James Scholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

last non fiction book for awhile lol

reads like a discovery channel documentary which makes sense given the author's background. felt a little distracted at times and the take aways are a bit more abstract than a traditional self-help book. it discussed the (imo) most important topic to understand in 2024. a must read but could've been a bit more refined.

[Josh Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

After listening to The Comfort Crisis, I wanted to check out The Scarcity Brain. These books are similar in approach though Scarcity Brain is more of a tilt-a-whirl in narrative arc as Easter visits several places instead of deep immersion into just one like when he was hunting for caribou.

I was interested in what he would discover about cravings. From a biblical perspective, this would fall under covetousness. How scarcity has been researched and engineered to hyper charge our behavior is unreal. While we are responsible for our own lives and our own sins, there’s something unnerving about how our own tendency to want more and be content with less can be used against our best interests. Maybe there’s something to be said about not tasting or touching or going into certain places lest we be given over to them. This includes places in our phone like social media or shopping apps. I love how Easter pulls back the curtain to show the bait that the hooks are buried in. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Maybe unintended, but I also took away the unreliability of research and science. There is truth in both of those things, but the scarcity loop can be leveraged in both of them. In no way am I saying to throw out scientific research, but do realize imperfect humans touch that research and do what they will with the data. Maybe they’re well meaning but maybe they’re trying to trigger scarcity brain. Motives are a heck of a thing.

It does seem to me like Michael Easter is quite the seeker. I would love to spend some time with him and talk about some of the conclusions he was coming to; conclusions that he had not yet arrived at a true conclusion. There’s still a few things he’s holding onto that keep him from discovery.

Overall, an interesting listen and something you can continue the conversation about in your own life. Maybe not for everyone, but spot on for the right person.

Test everything. Hold fast to what is good.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Easter’s Scarcity Brain is a deeply researched book about why we do what we do: why do we eat that entire bag of chips? Because we might never get more. Why do we gamble? Work too much? Drink to excess? Do drugs? Because we are evolutionarily wired to overindulge in substances and activities that maybe, just might, could, become harder to access next time. This drive is ruthlessly exploited by the people and entities that want to sell us more and more — or get us hooked on gambling, shopping, or anything else they can make money on.

Easter’s book explores the psychology behind Scarcity Brain. It looks at the emotional and behavioral drivers that keep us in the scarcity loop. Easter’s writing is personal and accessible — he brings the reader into his investigations so that we, too, can experience what he’s learning. From Las Vegas to Iraq to the Amazon, it all adds to the case he builds for how humans look at risk and reward.

Easter suggests replacing scarcity loops with abundance loops --and offers examples-- but his main focus is on awareness. We need to know we're being manipulated in order to find a way out. After all, he says, “We have one shot at life. The scarcity loop … pushes us into short-term thinking … at the expense of long-term rewards, growth, and meaning”. Wise words.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Pooja Kashyap · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt like I was diving into a long magazine feature while reading it. The author made specific claims, wove in interesting anecdotes to illustrate points, and backed up assertions by referencing experts or studies. The whole thing created a storytelling experience that was rich and layered.
The credibility of the experts and studies mentioned in the book seems to change based on whether they agree with what the author believes in.

No offence but I felt some voices were wholeheartedly accepted as authoritative without much questioning, while others were dismissed, often without clear evidence of their credentials or expertise.

So, I thought the whole idea behind the "Scarcity Cycle" was pretty interesting, however, that last chapter didn't quite do it for me.

Some insights into the “Scarcity Cycle”: The chance to grab something valuable, mixed with rewards that we can't quite predict – that's what keeps things exciting, full of anticipation and suspense. And the best part? We can keep going at it, chasing that opportunity over and over, because the rewards come quickly. It's the thrill of not knowing exactly what you'll get each time that makes you keep coming back for more.

I gotta say, there's some good stuff in there – useful info and some cool stories. But when it comes down to it, the whole book left me feeling a bit meh. And seriously, no index or footnotes to show where they got all that info? That's got me wondering if they're being straight with us about their research. I'm left wanting more clarity on where everything came from. It's a mixed bag, you know? Liked some parts, but not sold on the whole deal.

In a nutshell, the book was just okay. I spent a lot of time diving into the whole scarcity brain thing, but the actual solutions only popped up in the epilogue. I have to admit, the middle part was dragging for me—I ended up skipping through most of it. The writing was solid, though, no issues there. I'm all for a well-researched book, but maybe this one didn't quite align with my personal taste in topics.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genres: Nonficiton - Psychology

This was kind of fun in a nerdy way. The idea of scarcity thinking has been getting a lot of press lately. You can't even turn on a podcast without somebody mentioning it.

I liked how the author took many different facets of life and used those to show the scarcity mindset. Was this life changing? No. But interesting enough for my afternoon. So 3 stars.

[Joaquin Calles Guzman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book tries to be good. The premise is strong and at some point you are rooting for the author to make some sense…but that does not happen. If you can truly overlook the completely absurd editing job (terrible terrible grammar), you must pile through simple assertions that pass as hard knowledge…I had to leave it when he begins painting himself as a poor fat American that is “slowly dying” due to his diet. Give me a break! Stay away from this.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars; this was milking the concept of frugality too much; liked The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self; but the substance of this book is derivative, no original insights to be found here.

[Reshma M R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt few of the chapters were dragged. In the end I just wanted to finish the book for the sake of finishing.
The points the author was trying to convey was good but repeating the same thing again and again kinda got boring.

[Jessica Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's insights all pivot on an excellent description of the neuroscience of addiction that all of us face in civilization, tied back to the revolution in slot machine design in the early 80s. When these machines started offering intermittent reinforcement, they hacked the path to our dopamine reward system, dooming millions to a life of endless button-pushing to see if they will ever get a big payout. He connects this strategy of slot machines to everything that has been converted to a competitive metric in our society: Amazon ratings, Yelp reviews, Instagram likes, etc... This is valid and fascinating, but Easter doesn't go far enough in his critique of civilization and ends up siding with the default consumerism and mindless activities of modern life.

"We believe that our immensity of stuff is killing the environment," he writes, and then quotes Dr. McAfee, an MIT scientist, who says that we lighten up our impact on the planet as we develop more efficient technologies. "So spend away!" he seems to be saying. Yet the mountains of trash in landfills, the ginormous Pacific Garbage Patch and the ever decreasing amounts of useable soil directly contradict this. Easter always seems to find a way to justify consumerism gone mad.


Yet the author's understanding of anthropology could use an update! He says that "for most of history, we ate the same boring things every day, but now we have thousands of options." This is patently incorrect. Hunter-gatherers eat a much more diverse array of plant and animal foods than the average American.

I enjoyed his reference to the "optimal stimulation model" study in which pigeons in small and sterile cages are given two options to find out which one provides them the optimal stimulation. In the experiment, a group receives similar options to what they experience in the wild, and they stop playing lab-designed gambling games. They clearly prefer the environment they are evolutionarily adapted for. Then he says that humans are more like pigeons than we think, but never takes the leap to say that humans, too should be given more wild options to thrive.

I always enjoy reading books that are critical of how current society operates, grounding that in the fact that we are getting less healthy, more addicted, and more destructive to the environment every year. But Easter, like most writers, is still fully bought in to the model of progress, and velieves that if we could just tweak our habits, we could overcome these negative trends. But we can't. We have to put ourselves in the optimal environment for human life, which is when we are fully embedded in nature, without digital technology or centralized systems of control or production.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read The Comfort Crisis first and then this book. Or check out Easter's website and his Substack. He's a great writer and journalist, and is more of a commonsense guy than rigidly sticking to philosophical/political ideas. Additionally, check out his many interviews on YouTube by looking for the titles of his two books.

I see the scarcity loop working on social media a lot, which is why I've really curtailed IG, Twitter/X recently. This book gives a lot of the science behind why stacking the algorithms works so well for social media outlets, and how these things have fundamentally changed our place in the real world.

Have fun, don't die!

[Markie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough" by Michael Easter appears to be a book that delves into the psychological and evolutionary aspects of our cravings and desires for more, exploring how our modern society and technology have influenced these tendencies.

The book seems to challenge the idea that our insatiable cravings for food, material possessions, information, and influence are solely our fault. Instead, it suggests that our cravings are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history, stemming from a time when scarcity was a constant threat and seeking out resources was essential for survival. However, in our modern world where resources are abundant, this "scarcity brain" mindset may lead to detrimental habits and unfulfilling pursuits.

Michael Easter seems to have explored various sources, including interviews with innovators and scientists, to uncover tactics and strategies that can help individuals shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. These strategies appear to focus on detecting hidden cues that trigger cravings, redefining how we think about addiction and habits, and finding satisfaction in what we already have.

The book's approach seems to combine scientific insights with practical advice, aiming to help readers rewire their habits and thoughts to achieve a more fulfilling and contented life. By exploring various aspects of life, from alone time to exploration and reframing addiction, "Scarcity Brain" appears to provide a comprehensive perspective on how to navigate the modern world's abundance while curbing unhealthy cravings and habits.

If you're interested in understanding the roots of your cravings and learning how to navigate them in a healthier way, this book might offer valuable insights and actionable strategies for cultivating a more balanced and satisfying lifestyle.

[Shayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book that could have been an article. This guy needs an editor to cut out the fluff about how he sat at a coffee shop with some professor and what the guy was wearing and what they ate and how the clouds moved by. I couldn’t get past the bad writing and unfortunately didn’t get anything from the research.

[Sara Frigui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad I was hoping to learn something but this was clearly written by someone who doesn’t understand science and has the writing ability of a middle schooler

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that digs deep into why we always crave more. There are some parts that I liked, particularly the scarcity loop itself and the slot machine studies. But I did not find satisfactory info on how to combat scarcity loops. I kept waiting for that enlightenment throughout the book, but instead there are just a lot of anecdotal stories.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to other self-help or brain hack books, this one fell very flat. It felt more like a series of disconnected travel stories than a cohesive guide with actionable insights. While other books in this genre often provide clear takeaways, this felt like someone writing just for the sake of publishing and getting their name out there, without offering anything truly valuable.

[Tika · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I started listening, the subject of this book came up in nearly every single conversation. I picked it up to start the work of untangling bad fiscal habits, and it doesn’t disappoint. Thanks, Michael.

[Jasmine]

I am dragging my way through this, and I just can't force myself to finish it. DNFing it at 50%. Not what I expected going in, not what I wanted either.

[Jen Brodehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars- I like the premise of this book but it was way too long with too many random stories that made me want to skip around.

[Javier Lorenzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

humans evolved amidst scarcity. now society is filled with excess and abundance.

food, stuff, and even happiness — we still view these as scarce. and so we’re over consuming as if there won’t be any left the next day.

cool book about the evolutionary cue that drives our desire for more.

not 5 star because too much focus on stories instead of analyses.

[Katie Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have done without his heavy handed views on evolution, but overall this book has great ideas about brain science on consumerism, tech use and more. I feel like this book has more practical value for breaking addiction (especially to technology, but also to many other things) than most other books written on the subject. Very insightful and I know I’ll be thinking about this for months to come!

[Cody Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brain is an amazing creation. The scarcity loop allows for simple conversation about complex ideas and desires for humans - why are drugs appealing? why is gambling interesting? why is food easy to over consume? All questions Easter tackles with simple brain mechanics that are often hacked by the 21st century's manipulators.

[Christopher Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! So many interesting ideas. As someone with an addictive personality and probably some elements of OCD, I saw a lot of myself in here. Obsessively chasing results I could measure….trying to measure everything…but also what drove me to dive into Ingress and mushroom hunting. And roulette. And running and weightlifting. You can use these lessons to understand bad habits and good ones.

Very well written too!

I listened to this while running or walking. I sometimes wish I had read it instead , so I could underline all the wisdom to take away and reflect on.

[Mihaela Danilov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful message: we must take care of our body & mind but we also must take care of our soul.

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarcity brain Michael Easter - 4*

Crushed it given it’s a sequel so high expectations. Loved the monastery & Iraq & casino chapters in particular. Long term effects: eating cleaner (ditching quest bars and synthetic extra protein in favor of cleaner foods + longevity), considering behavioral game design further + reaching out to some of the UNLV / PhD’s mentioned (see Libby bookmark notes), and questioning scarcity loops in general. Questioning quantification methods designed to keep us on treadmills/in loops: social media metrics, salary, sweet/salty foods.

Favorite highlights:
Worst habits are ones we can repeat quickly: often to our detriment
Avoid making decisions based on dopamine
Uncertainty makes us crave rewards more (promotions, dating). Want, don’t need.
Escapes from the shit of life are rational (ways to turn mind off) Make them healthy (passions, exercise, triathlons, courses, books, hobbies). Add short-term discomfort for long term joy: mix up friends/friend groups. Put yourself out there and try new things/embrace novelty (Comfort Crisis)
We can do anything. Humans can overcome addiction, which Robert saplosky thinks is one of the most impressive features of humans. Anything is possible. My problems / obstacles are so small.

Oh shit bag for camping: emergency blanket, compass, lighter, and superglue. Check w Luke before bogue camping

***do you want to be right, or happy?*** life changing question. Reasoning didnt develop for better beliefs. Evolved into influence. Scarcity brain leads to short term fixes but not long term winning. Prioritize being happy > being right. Don’t argue, just clarify. Don’t assume. THICBW.

Do I want to look good or be happy? Be a good friend/coworker or be right? We’re also never as right as we think we are. Feedback loop and FAE and this the case.

Eat less to live more: Norway life expectancy way up when their food was rationed during WW2

If taking longer than a minute to decide, coming up w justification for unnecessary purchase or for keeping an unnecessary item. I’ll know within one minute if I want/need it.

Time to make uncomfortable choices that force the will to live. Not living is comfortable. Corporate perks, the treadmill. Gtfoff it.

Going without for gratitude: fasting, time in wilderness without modern comforts. Time without 1-2 modern comforts: give up phone? Tech detox fr on Sat! Perfect for bridge tournament :)

Searching for meaning is pivotal. Wealthy != unhappy if you have smtn that gives you meaning. Can simply have a job that pays more than other jobs, and still pursue meaning. OK if I find value in life. Don’t hate $ or spending, only when it’s in place of meaning and values. Or spending to avoid smtn. wealth as an afterthought.

All highlights:


You risk so much by not flailing yourself into the abyss.
Books are for ppl who have relaxed lives, not many problems. Iraqis don’t read bc sm problems.
Davidji!!! Fuck yeah. So true. Didn’t know Joseph Campbell analyzed thousands of myths.
Time to make uncomfortable choices that force the will to live. Not living is comfortable. Corporate perks, the treadmill. Gtfoff it.
Worst way to be is wasting time. No vets waste time. Moments are precious. Kevin Gates quote.
Near-death experiences bring appreciation for life. In the Stans countries. V Manson TSAONGAF ending. Finding appreciation for life.
You risk so much by hesitating to throw yourself into the abyss.
Going without for gratitude: fasting, time in wilderness without modern comforts. Time without 1-2 modern comforts: give up phone? Tech detox fr on Sat! Perfect for bridge tournament :)
Searching for meaning is pivotal. Wealthy != unhappy if you have smtn that gives you meaning. Can simply have a job that pays more than other jobs, and still pursue meaning. OK if I find value in life. Don’t hate $ or spending, only when it’s in place of meaning and values. Or spending to avoid smtn. wealth as an afterthought.
Fair reasoning to question $’s value. Treadmill doesn’t satisfy the soul. The truth is smtn b/t what everyone at pcap thinks and what this bogue thinks. Question rigidity = question blind pursuit of cash. I’m lucky I can wonder and wander elsewhere. Don’t j travel. The truth is smtn in between.
Unitarian Universalist: no rules. Acceptance but also Grateful Dead meets theology 101.
Don’t love much talking. Don’t speak useless words.
Research disproved bullshit jobs: highest job satisfaction = “bullshit jobs” where you’re treated well and helping someone somewhere.
Working intensely for 4 hours > doing more. Good for efficiency. 7 days a week. Think about yest: did whole deck in 4 hours. Perfect for 5mg foc. This is the way to work. 4 hour intense bursts. Dkminsighing returns after: 20 hr weeks > 35 for creative work; 35 >>> 60.
Happiness = enjoying the present w/o thinking of the future -Seneca. We’ve never defined happiness nor proven it is sustainable.
CI study! Row ch 7. 99% confident = 60% acc..? Tell Shane??
Don’t be scared to ask for und. Ppl like helping others und how they feel. Ask for context, OJ-like explanations. They can endure the minute or two. Do this sm more to get ahead. Don’t j spin my wheels. Nobody wants that.
This is crazy. We get more info in one day than someone in 15th century got in their entire lifetime. Is this to our benefit? Less intentionality for sure. Shorter attn spans. How can I combat this? Avoid stimuli.
unfocused walking increases creativity and und complex ideas. No phone on walks! Just look around and be present. Like Tracy taught me!!
Gear not stuff. Think about the functionality of purchases. No random buying just to have. Meaningful intentional living. No buying for unclear purposes.
Minimalism or shopping bc we feel we need control over our lives. I get this w cleaning. And minimalism. We all want to feel we’re in control of our lives. Makes sense. Controlling what we can.
Good q: why do I want less in the first place? Bc I was told I don’t dress well and want to dress better to impress girls. Getting rid of shitty clothes is a quick fix. Finding clothes I like is the answer. Do it intentionally. Don’t need much. Just a few nice go-to outfits. Get the Zara shirts. I fw those. Don’t sweat sm. Who Fkn cares.
Don’t fear struggle / type 2 fun. Makes the W’s all the sweeter. Both outdoors and work and life. It’s the sweating the dating struggle that makes the relief so sweet. Blind faith: the best things in life are earned, not given. Man a promotion would be so fucking sweet. Rly pushed myself out here in SF in a way I wouldn’t have at pcap bos. Who cares about tangible payoffs. I’m learning and developing a grindset and learning to work hard for the first time in my life.
If taking longer than a minute to decide, coming up w justification for unnecessary purchase or for keeping an unnecessary item. I’ll know within one minute if I want/need it.
Need to know what I want to do w my life and then I can choose things for myself. Doing things for only myself. No job, no worrying about vacation days. Cbd: bridge pro? Tough life. I’m falling into the corporate path, but I can alw leave. I can also alw come back to finance. 20s are for being at-risk: entr, make it happen. Need an impetus. YC isn’t it. Learn software, cracked SWE. CS masters? Is this even nec anymore post-GPT?
Oh shit bag for camping: emergency blanket, compass, lighter, and superglue. Check w Luke before bogue camping
From right before this: Norway rations during war -> less death and less cardiovascular disease. Eat less to live longer?
Do I want to look good or be happy? Be a good friend/coworker or be right? We’re also never as right as we think we are. Feedback loop and FAE and this the case.
***do you want to be right, or happy?*** life changing question. Reasoning didnt develop for better beliefs. Evolved into influence. Scarcity brain leads to short term fixes but not long term winning. Prioritize being happy > being right. Don’t argue, just clarify. Don’t assume. THICBW.
Catch 22 of social media: having to show people you’re great on social media makes you look like a virtue signalling jerk. J go out into the world and do great things. Stop looking for validation and start living. McConaughey. He would do instagram. Fuck that. Nor Gaddis. Nor any of my RMs. Gtfo IG.
Bigger fish at smaller pond is better for mental health than more $ at bigger co. Status affects mental health. Comparing hurts us. Small fish is tough. But it’s fleeting if I tough it out. I’m not gonna quit. No more entry level BS. Next role will be associate level. Fuck bottom totem pole. And be intentional: really envision 1 year of it bc I have to do a year. Glad I toughed thru pcap and so grateful for all the help.
How to get out of addiction / live clean: Take courses to improve your skills. Pour yourself into books. Make new friends, change your friend group. Make big changes. Embrace short term discomfort for long term benefit.
Sapolsky: it’s fascinating we can get over substance addictions. If ppl can do this, I can do anything. It’s all mentality. Ppl do it by getting into something new.
Escaping from shitty life to pursue meaning and pleasure is rational. Ironmans, corporate ladder, video games. Escapes from suffering. Turning mind off. Makes sense. Healthy escapes and unhealthy escapes.
Drugs were made for animals - interesting, I guess everything was. Shrooms w Z this wknd? Well def cry, but could be great. Save this Hail Mary.
Sure things are boring. Unsure things captivate us. Me with tryna date? Keep things unsure as long as possible / till rs. Want, don’t need. Ppl can smell need.
We want things infinitely more if we’re not sure we get it. Further evidence for playing hard to get. Don’t obsess. We all crave uncertain rewards. Hard to get baddie. Not person coming on too strong.
Pops: avoid dopamine decisions. I’m sure he’s generally right, delayed gratification is maturity, but at the same time, don’t entirely distrust dopamine. Simply question it and notice when it’s flooding me (Z)
Worst habits are the ones we can quickly repeat, often to our detrimen




note
June 06, 2024 14:08 99.9% You risk so much by not flailing yourself into the abyss.
June 06, 2024 14:08 99.8% Books are for ppl who have relaxed lives, not many problems. Iraqis don’t read bc sm problems.
June 06, 2024 14:06 99.4% Davidji!!! Fuck yeah. So true. Didn’t know Joseph Campbell analyzed thousands of myths.
June 06, 2024 14:00 98.4% Time to make uncomfortable choices that force the will to live. Not living is comfortable. Corporate perks, the treadmill. Gtfoff it.
June 06, 2024 13:59 98.0% Worst way to be is wasting time. No vets waste time. Moments are precious. Kevin Gates quote.
June 06, 2024 13:56 97.5% Near-death experiences bring appreciation for life. In the Stans countries. V Manson TSAONGAF ending. Finding appreciation for life.
June 04, 2024 14:47 96.0% You risk so much by hesitating to throw yourself into the abyss.
June 04, 2024 14:41 94.5% Going without for gratitude: fasting, time in wilderness without modern comforts. Time without 1-2 modern comforts: give up phone? Tech detox fr on Sat! Perfect for bridge tournament :)
June 04, 2024 14:36 93.6% Searching for meaning is pivotal. Wealthy != unhappy if you have smtn that gives you meaning. Can simply have a job that pays more than other jobs, and still pursue meaning. OK if I find value in life. Don’t hate $ or spending, only when it’s in place of meaning and values. Or spending to avoid smtn. wealth as an afterthought.
June 04, 2024 14:22 93.1% Fair reasoning to question $’s value. Treadmill doesn’t satisfy the soul. The truth is smtn b/t what everyone at pcap thinks and what this bogue thinks. Question rigidity = question blind pursuit of cash. I’m lucky I can wonder and wander elsewhere. Don’t j travel. The truth is smtn in between.
June 03, 2024 14:38 91.2% Unitarian Universalist: no rules. Acceptance but also Grateful Dead meets theology 101.
June 03, 2024 14:23 89.6% Don’t love much talking. Don’t speak useless words.
June 03, 2024 14:23 89.5% Research disproved bullshit jobs: highest job satisfaction = “bullshit jobs” where you’re treated well and helping someone somewhere.
June 03, 2024 14:20 88.9% Working intensely for 4 hours > doing more. Good for efficiency. 7 days a week. Think about yest: did whole deck in 4 hours. Perfect for 5mg foc. This is the way to work. 4 hour intense bursts. Dkminsighing returns after: 20 hr weeks > 35 for creative work; 35 >>> 60.
May 31, 2024 15:04 85.0% Happiness = enjoying the present w/o thinking of the future -Seneca. We’ve never defined happiness nor proven it is sustainable.
May 23, 2024 14:44 78.5% CI study! Row ch 7. 99% confident = 60% acc..? Tell Shane??
May 22, 2024 14:38 77.5% Don’t be scared to ask for und. Ppl like helping others und how they feel. Ask for context, OJ-like explanations. They can endure the minute or two. Do this sm more to get ahead. Don’t j spin my wheels. Nobody wants that.
May 22, 2024 14:31 75.8% This is crazy. We get more info in one day than someone in 15th century got in their entire lifetime. Is this to our benefit? Less intentionality for sure. Shorter attn spans. How can I combat this? Avoid stimuli.
May 22, 2024 14:22 73.4% unfocused walking increases creativity and und complex ideas. No phone on walks! Just look around and be present. Like Tracy taught me!!
May 22, 2024 13:55 68.8% Gear not stuff. Think about the functionality of purchases. No random buying just to have. Meaningful intentional living. No buying for unclear purposes.
May 21, 2024 14:57 67.6% Minimalism or shopping bc we feel we need control over our lives. I get this w cleaning. And minimalism. We all want to feel we’re in control of our lives. Makes sense. Controlling what we can.
May 21, 2024 14:39 67.6% Good q: why do I want less in the first place? Bc I was told I don’t dress well and want to dress better to impress girls. Getting rid of shitty clothes is a quick fix. Finding clothes I like is the answer. Do it intentionally. Don’t need much. Just a few nice go-to outfits. Get the Zara shirts. I fw those. Don’t sweat sm. Who Fkn cares.
May 21, 2024 14:35 66.7% Don’t fear struggle / type 2 fun. Makes the W’s all the sweeter. Both outdoors and work and life. It’s the sweating the dating struggle that makes the relief so sweet. Blind faith: the best things in life are earned, not given. Man a promotion would be so fucking sweet. Rly pushed myself out here in SF in a way I wouldn’t have at pcap bos. Who cares about tangible payoffs. I’m learning and developing a grindset and learning to work hard for the first time in my life.
May 21, 2024 14:21 63.1% If taking longer than a minute to decide, coming up w justification for unnecessary purchase or for keeping an unnecessary item. I’ll know within one minute if I want/need it.
May 21, 2024 14:01 59.6% Need to know what I want to do w my life and then I can choose things for myself. Doing things for only myself. No job, no worrying about vacation days. Cbd: bridge pro? Tough life. I’m falling into the corporate path, but I can alw leave. I can also alw come back to finance. 20s are for being at-risk: entr, make it happen. Need an impetus. YC isn’t it. Learn software, cracked SWE. CS masters? Is this even nec anymore post-GPT?
May 21, 2024 13:56 58.4% Oh shit bag for camping: emergency blanket, compass, lighter, and superglue. Check w Luke before bogue camping
May 15, 2024 14:54 51.7% From right before this: Norway rations during war -> less death and less cardiovascular disease. Eat less to live longer?
May 14, 2024 14:58 43.7% Do I want to look good or be happy? Be a good friend/coworker or be right? We’re also never as right as we think we are. Feedback loop and FAE and this the case.
May 14, 2024 14:56 43.4% ***do you want to be right, or happy?*** life changing question. Reasoning didnt develop for better beliefs. Evolved into influence. Scarcity brain leads to short term fixes but not long term winning. Prioritize being happy > being right. Don’t argue, just clarify. Don’t assume. THICBW.
May 14, 2024 14:52 42.3% Catch 22 of social media: having to show people you’re great on social media makes you look like a virtue signalling jerk. J go out into the world and do great things. Stop looking for validation and start living. McConaughey. He would do instagram. Fuck that. Nor Gaddis. Nor any of my RMs. Gtfo IG.
May 14, 2024 14:47 41.1% Bigger fish at smaller pond is better for mental health than more $ at bigger co. Status affects mental health. Comparing hurts us. Small fish is tough. But it’s fleeting if I tough it out. I’m not gonna quit. No more entry level BS. Next role will be associate level. Fuck bottom totem pole. And be intentional: really envision 1 year of it bc I have to do a year. Glad I toughed thru pcap and so grateful for all the help.
May 08, 2024 14:30 30.5% How to get out of addiction / live clean: Take courses to improve your skills. Pour yourself into books. Make new friends, change your friend group. Make big changes. Embrace short term discomfort for long term benefit.
May 08, 2024 14:26 29.9% Sapolsky: it’s fascinating we can get over substance addictions. If ppl can do this, I can do anything. It’s all mentality. Ppl do it by getting into something new.
May 08, 2024 14:20 28.6% Escaping from shitty life to pursue meaning and pleasure is rational. Ironmans, corporate ladder, video games. Escapes from suffering. Turning mind off. Makes sense. Healthy escapes and unhealthy escapes.
May 07, 2024 15:02 24.3% Drugs were made for animals - interesting, I guess everything was. Shrooms w Z this wknd? Well def cry, but could be great. Save this Hail Mary.
May 07, 2024 14:11 12.2% Sure things are boring. Unsure things captivate us. Me with tryna date? Keep things unsure as long as possible / till rs. Want, don’t need. Ppl can smell need.
May 06, 2024 14:41 12.0% We want things infinitely more if we’re not sure we get it. Further evidence for playing hard to get. Don’t obsess. We all crave uncertain rewards. Hard to get baddie. Not person coming on too strong.
May 06, 2024 14:39 11.6% Pops: avoid dopamine decisions. I’m sure he’s generally right, delayed gratification is maturity, but at the same time, don’t entirely distrust dopamine. Simply question it and notice when it’s flooding me (Z)
May 06, 2024 13:58 0.8% Worst habits are the ones we can quickly repeat, often to our detrimen

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book. But I took off a star because it felt science-light. There were hardly any references to actual studies, and the author seemed to take some steep liberty in places.

Overall enjoyable and great food for thought.

[Debra Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping that I’d get more help if personal growth in this book. Nothing new - just reframed. Humans have too many choices and have too much. We appreciate life more when we work hard and have lower expectations. Rewards mean more when they are unexpected.