As human beings, we have evolved over millions of years, adapting to various environments and challenges that have shaped our existence. However, in the last 100 years, and even more so in the last decade, the world has changed at an unprecedented pace. Despite these rapid advancements, our bodies and minds remain largely the same as those of our caveman ancestors. This essay will explore some of the ways in which our primitive instincts manifest in today’s world, often leading to maladaptive behaviors that hinder rather than help us.
Moths and Lightbulbs: A Metaphor for Maladaptation
A common sight in our modern world is that of moths endlessly chasing artificial light sources, mistaking them for the moon they instinctively follow. This behavior wastes their energy and often leads to their demise. In much the same way, humans have yet to adapt to many aspects of our modern lives, leading to a myriad of maladaptive behaviors.
- Pornography
The widespread consumption of pornography is one example of a maladaptive behavior. While men have evolved to be attracted to women, the digital age has brought with it an overwhelming abundance of pornographic content. Last year, users spent $4.8 billion USD on one website (OnlyFans). As a result, many men spend hours staring at screens, tricking their brains into thinking they are engaging in real sexual experiences. This provides a dopamine rush, similar to the moth chasing the lightbulb, but ultimately results in a hollow and unfulfilling experience and a host of negative effects.
- Social Media
Social media is another aspect of modern life that exploits our primitive instincts. As social animals, we are wired to crave connection and interaction with others. However, social media platforms often provide an illusion of connection, rather than fostering genuine relationships. Like the moth and the lightbulb, we become entranced by our screens, believing we are truly connected to others.
Social media platforms are designed to be highly engaging, exploiting our psychological vulnerabilities such as the need for social approval, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the desire for instant gratification. These platforms are built around algorithms that prioritize content that generates strong reactions, often amplifying divisive and sensationalist material, further fueling our addictive behavior. This can lead to a constant state of checking and rechecking our feeds, seeking validation through likes, comments, and shares, rather than engaging in meaningful conversations or fostering real connections. Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist, has been an outspoken critic of these manipulative design tactics, coining the term “time well spent” to advocate for more ethical design in technology. You can learn more about his work through the Center for Humane Technology.
- Sugar
Our ancestors evolved to seek out sugar, as it was a rare and valuable source of energy in their environments. Today, sugar is abundant and easily accessible, leading to overconsumption and an epidemic of obesity and related health problems. Our primitive wiring drives us to crave sugar, even though it has become maladaptive in our modern world.
The abundance of sugar in today’s food environment is staggering, with added sugars found in a wide range of products, including sodas, candy, and even seemingly healthy options such as yogurt and granola bars. This widespread availability has led to a drastic increase in sugar consumption, with the average American consuming over 17 teaspoons of added sugars per day, far exceeding the American Heart Association’s recommended daily limit of 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men (https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars).
The consequences of this excessive sugar intake have been well-documented. It has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5133084/). Furthermore, sugar consumption has been found to have addictive properties, with some studies suggesting that it can activate the same neural reward pathways as drugs of abuse (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6234835/). This addictive quality makes it even more challenging for individuals to reduce their sugar intake and maintain a balanced diet.
In both cases, understanding the underlying evolutionary mechanisms that drive our cravings for sugar and social media can help us make more informed decisions about our consumption habits. By being aware of these primitive instincts, we can take steps to limit our exposure to these modern-day temptations and foster healthier relationships with food and technology.
- News Consumption
Humans are wired to be highly alert to their surroundings, as vigilance was crucial for survival in the past. However, the 24/7 news cycle exploits this instinct, bombarding us with sensational headlines and constant updates that keep us hooked. This constant barrage of information triggers our primitive instincts, leading us to engage in maladaptive news consumption habits.
The modern news cycle is designed to grab our attention and keep us engaged for as long as possible, often utilizing emotionally charged headlines and stories that evoke strong reactions. This plays on our natural tendency to be drawn to negativity, a phenomenon known as negativity bias, where negative events have a greater impact on our psychological state than neutral or positive events (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652533/). This bias stems from our ancestors’ need to be aware of potential threats and dangers, which is why we are more likely to engage with and remember negative news stories.
While staying informed is essential, excessive exposure to the constant flow of negative news can have detrimental effects on our mental well-being. A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that more than half of Americans reported that the news causes them stress, anxiety, fatigue, or sleep loss (https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/technology-social-media). Furthermore, constant exposure to negative news can lead to a skewed perception of reality, as we may begin to believe that the world is a more dangerous and hostile place than it actually is. To counteract these effects, it is crucial to strike a balance in our news consumption habits by setting limits, engaging with positive news sources, and practicing critical thinking when evaluating the credibility of news stories.
- Fear and Social Anxiety
Social fear and anxiety are remnants of our primitive instincts, where making a mistake could have dire consequences. In today’s society, these fears often manifest as social anxiety or a fear of failure, preventing us from taking risks and fully engaging with the world around us.
- Dating Culture
Some argue that our primitive instincts drive us to seek novelty in romantic partners, as this would have been advantageous for genetic diversity. However, the modern hookup culture can be seen as a maladaptive manifestation of this instinct, causing individuals to expend energy on fleeting encounters rather than investing in meaningful, long-lasting relationships.
- Tribalism
Our ancestors relied on their tribes for survival, making it advantageous to follow the crowd without question. In today’s world, this manifests as tribalism and echo chambers, where individuals blindly adhere to the beliefs of their chosen group, stifling critical thinking and productive discourse.
8. Workaholism
Workaholism is another example of a maladaptive behavior, where individuals become excessively absorbed in their work to the detriment of their personal lives and well-being. This behavior can be traced back to our ancestors’ need to secure resources and ensure survival. However, in today’s society, workaholism often leads to burnout, stress, and negative impacts on mental and physical health, as well as relationships with friends and family.
9. Consumerism
Our ancestors’ instinct to acquire resources and possessions for survival has evolved into consumerism in modern society. This maladaptive behavior drives individuals to constantly seek new material possessions, often leading to excessive spending, debt, and an unsustainable lifestyle. Consumerism can also contribute to environmental degradation, as the constant pursuit of new products leads to increased production, waste, and resource depletion.
10. Seeking Comfort
Seeking comfort, having a sedentary lifestyle, and not taking risks was beneficial in the past when survival was the goal, and there were risks and dangers outside. It was better to conserve resources. This can be manifested in: procrastination, and sedentary lifestyles. While some degree of procrastination may have been beneficial in the past, allowing our ancestors to conserve energy for more immediate tasks or dangers, in today’s fast-paced world, procrastination often leads to increased stress, decreased productivity, and negative impacts on personal and professional lives.
11. Gambling
The human brain is wired to seek out novel and rewarding experiences, as these were often associated with the discovery of new resources or opportunities in the past. However, in modern society, this instinct can lead to maladaptive behaviors such as compulsive gambling. The thrill of gambling provides a temporary dopamine rush, similar to the moth chasing the lightbulb, but ultimately results in financial and emotional distress for the individual.
Conclusion
As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern life, it is important to recognize the ways in which our primitive instincts may be leading us astray. By becoming aware of these maladaptive behaviors, we can begin to adapt and make conscious choices to improve our well-being and quality of life.
