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FOUR

THE MAYBE EFFECT

This next analogy is going to rock you. Staring at your smartphone at night is the same as sitting at a casino in Vegas, feeding coins into a slot machine. Vegas is designed around game theory, and they have figured out something called the "maybe effect." The maybe effect is this: I think that IF I pull the dial again, I'll maybe get something good next time. I think this because one time I got something good, or I heard or saw someone else get something good. I keep pulling the lever in anticipation that I, too, will maybe get something good one time. 

What is really happening is we are feeding off a dopamine hit or high that is triggered by the idea of "winning." Remember dopamine hits? Well, they are back again. The brain likes the sensation that dopamine gives it, so it keeps seeking more of it. You keep trying your luck at the machine or keep scrolling Instagram stories to get to that next high. Close your eyes for a minute and imagine these two scenarios. There is really very little difference between the two in terms of your behavior. This is just a small sampling of how game theory is being applied all around you. When you look around, it is everywhere – being used ON you. 

Brace yourself. You are being played. Social Media platforms have hacked human behavior to figure out how to profit off it and off of you! 

Remember, Social Media is designed to turn you into a spectator. Until you open your eyes to this, you can't change it. The real first step right now is awareness of how the game of Social Media is set up. To become more aware, take a moment to reflect on times you got completely sucked in. Now make a mental note of how you can prevent that from happening again.

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