Bingeing, Escapism & Modern Addictions - Michael Easter

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... Sponsors: Get 15% discount on Mud/Wtr at https://mudwtr.com/mw (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get an exclusive discount from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount on House Of Macadamias’ nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Extra Stuff: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ #psychology #discipline #selfcontrol - 00:00 Why Can’t Humans Ever Get Enough? 03:50 Explaining the Scarcity Loop 09:51 Why Are We So Hooked? 17:47 Humanity’s Love for Escapism 21:39 The Wild Story of Captagon 30:25 Are We Becoming More Dependent on Certainty? 39:54 The Evolutionary Pursuit of Status & Influence 52:31 Becoming Addicted to Observable Metrics 57:25 The Scarcity Loop of Food 1:04:26 How to Break Through the Loop 1:10:40 Where to Find Michael - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Chris WilliamsonhostMichael Easterguest

Oct 7, 20231h 12mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 7, 2023
Duration: 1h 12m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

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... Sponsors: Get 15% discount on Mud/Wtr at https://mudwtr.com/mw (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get an exclusive discount from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount on House Of Macadamias’ nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Extra Stuff: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ #psychology #discipline #selfcontrol - 00:00 Why Can’t Humans Ever Get Enough? 03:50 Explaining the Scarcity Loop 09:51 Why Are We So Hooked? 17:47 Humanity’s Love for Escapism 21:39 The Wild Story of Captagon 30:25 Are We Becoming More Dependent on Certainty? 39:54 The Evolutionary Pursuit of Status & Influence 52:31 Becoming Addicted to Observable Metrics 57:25 The Scarcity Loop of Food 1:04:26 How to Break Through the Loop 1:10:40 Where to Find Michael - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Chris Williamson
host
Michael Easter
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Chris Williamson and Michael Easter, Bingeing, Escapism & Modern Addictions - Michael Easter explores why Our Scarcity-Wired Brains Binge in an Age of Abundance Chris Williamson and Michael Easter explore why humans struggle with moderation in a world overflowing with food, information, status, and digital stimulation. Easter outlines the evolutionary mismatch between our scarcity-adapted brains and modern abundance, introducing his concept of the 'scarcity loop'—a behavioral cycle of opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and rapid repeatability that drives compulsive use. They trace how this loop underpins slot machines, social media, shopping, finance apps, and ultra-processed food, and how it fuels escapism and addiction. The conversation also covers addiction theory, the role of status and influence, information overload, and practical ways to break these loops and reclaim control.

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