Our brains are wired to prioritize shortterm rewards over long-term satisfaction from "summary" of Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
In the grand competition that is life, we humans are not always the most rational players on the field. While we may believe that we are making decisions based on careful consideration of long-term consequences, the truth is that our brains are often more interested in the immediate gratification that comes from short-term rewards. This tendency can be traced back to our evolutionary past, where our ancestors had to prioritize immediate needs like food and shelter in order to survive in a hostile world. Despite the many advances our species has made since those early days, our brains are still wired to value short-term rewards over long-term satisfaction. This can be seen in a variety of everyday situations, from choosing to indulge in a sugary treat rather than sticking to a healthy diet, to procrastinating on important tasks in favor of more immediately enjoyable activities. While we may understand intellectually that sacrificing short-term pleasure for long-term gain is the wiser choice, our brains often struggle to resist the allure of instant gratification. One of the key factors driving our preference for short-term rewards is the way our brains process information about the future. Unlike the present moment, which is filled with sensory input and immediate f...
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