3 ms·
The marshmallow experiment is too simplistic, but for millions of years we usually were better off eating both marshmallows. Now we have supermarkets with prod
by Comevius 5y ago
The marshmallow experiment is too simplistic, but for millions of years we usually were better off eating both marshmallows. Now we have supermarkets with products full of sugar. You can consume an unhealthy amount of sugar eating a few fitness granola bars, half a liter of fruit juice, or a single bar of chocolate.
We are especially vulnerable to superstimulus (exaggerated signals), which is what makes McDonalds, TikTok or surgically augmented breasts so popular. More sugar, more salt, more silly faces, more breasts. Even if we don't prefer them our brain is drawn to them. They used to be important signals. Youtube video thumbnails almost always feature people making faces, TikTok is short videos of people making faces. It's a race at providing better superstimulus. A lot of our culture these days is a constant bombardment of stimulus and we are not especially adapted to it.
- GDC7 5y ago> It's a race at providing better superstimulus Couldn't agree more. if this trend continues, the only possible consequence is drugs becoming a form of art. When external stimuli won't do it anymore people will seek to directly stimulate themselves with chemicals. I think society would also find out that the risk benefit analysis of club drugs and LSD vs. social media and junk food is tilted heavily in favor of the former
- kiba 5y agoI don't really buy the notion of superstimulus? Why? McDonalds are not that delicious and I make better tasting burgers at home anyway.
- test6554 5y agoBy the time someone realizes this they’ve already bought and taken a bite of the burger. McDonald’s is not the best burger. But for the cost, speed, and effort involved, it’s pretty good. We could make all kinds of things ourselves but largely we don’t.
- Ceiling 5y agoI suspect the OP would argue that the stimulus you receive from McDonald’s is not the taste, but rather the variety, sugars, salts, ease, etc.