[advantark]

It is tough to break out of the instant gratification cycle when everyone you see is in the same cycle. People on facebook spend all of their time looking at other people on facebook. Living differently takes someone or something to shift their perspective, as well as the self-discipline to create change. This expense makes me believe that the lifestyle of instant gratification is the new normal, and I doubt it will be going away any time soon.

That just makes me wonder: How can we manipulate this change for our own advantage?

[petewailes]

That's literally the exact opposite sentiment of the post. How about using those triggers for something more useful? Or encouraging people not to do those things?

Why not aim to create something that improves things, rather than looking to exploit it and add to the problem?

[advantark]

I understand the sentiment of the post, but it's just not realistic. If we could get rid of the problem, that would obviously be preferable, but it's not going anywhere. It's just too pervasive and exploits psychology too well.

We should encourage people to do those things and break free, and some will be able to. Many people, however, lack the willpower to do so. If we can find a way to make people learn and feel fulfilled while in a short-attention-span environment, that would be an improvement from where we are now.