# Variable-Reward Slot-Machine Mechanism #psychology #habits #surprisal This matters because the mechanism is used in so many places to grab my attention and make me come back for more, spend my time, my life-time on things that don't matter. It's important to note this because I have to become better at staying focused and free myself of things that are designed to make me addicted. ## What is exciting about it? Everything! See a list of concrete examples at [[Low-Value High-Dopamine Activities]] ## What sucks about it? Just like the rats in the experiment, when left un-checked, this will result in massive addiction, loss of control, loss of focus, loss of time and energy. Are we all now just like those gamblers in Las Vegas, minus the visor, stiff drink and sandals, pulling the lever every few seconds? And instead of pulling the lever, we flick with the tip of our finger. Scrolling. Waiting. Looking. Hoping. Scrolling. Scrolling. Scrolling. Relates to Dopamine and [[Dopamine Fast]].