>In our ancestral environment, the brain's reward system was well-suited to motivate behaviors that promoted survival and reproduction. Scarcity of resources and the need to expend effort to obtain food, shelter, and social connections created a natural balance in the brain's reward responses. Short-term pleasures were tied to activities that had long-term benefits for the individual and their community. However, in the modern environment, technology and society have evolved at a much faster rate than our brains, and this has led to several challenges:
>Modern society offers a constant stream of easily accessible and highly rewarding stimuli, such as fast food, social media, and instant entertainment. This can lead to overconsumption and engagement in behaviors that are pleasurable in the moment but detrimental in the long term.
>Many important goals, such as building a career or maintaining healthy relationships, require effort and patience over time, which may be challenging when the brain is primed for instant rewards. Navigating the modern environment in a way that aligns with our long-term well-being requires a conscious effort to balance our brain’s primitive reward system with our knowledge of the potential consequences of our actions. This involves making informed decisions, practicing self-control, focusing on values and goals that prioritize our overall health, happiness, and societal well-being.