Hijacked by Dopamine: How Society’s Obsession with Quick Fixes Backfired

Understanding the Modern Dopamine Crisis - In today's world, instant gratification is everywhere. Social media is the fast food of socialisation. Porn is the fast food of intimacy. Video games are the fast food of achievement. Streaming platforms are the fast food of entertainment. And actual fast food? It’s a carefully engineered blend of fat, sugar, and salt—once scarce resources—designed to keep consumers returning for more.

This epidemic of cheap dopamine has reshaped human behavior, leading to addiction, short-term thinking, and a crisis of meaning. We must first look at history to understand how we arrived at this point.

The Evolution of Society and Its Consequences - Societies have always been shaped by their means of production. Historically, humans evolved through foraging, horticultural, agrarian, industrial, and informational economies. Each shift changed how people worked, lived, and perceived the world.

The Industrial Revolution began only 300 years ago and marked a significant shift. It introduced assembly lines, structured workdays, and mass production, leading to incredible wealth and stability. However, this newfound stability also enabled the rise of industries designed to maximise consumer engagement at the expense of well-being.

The spread of technology accelerated during the information age. While the Internet and social media offer incredible opportunities, they also introduce harmful incentives. Companies, driven by profit, began engineering content and experiences to be as addictive as possible. Fear-mongering, clickbait, and hyper-palatable digital content became the norm, exploiting our natural dopamine-driven survival instincts.

The Science of Dopamine: The Molecule of More
Dopamine is often misunderstood as the pleasure molecule. In reality, it is the molecule of motivation and pursuit. It is what pushes us to chase what we don’t have—resources, relationships, and new experiences.

Neurotransmitters can be divided into two categories:

• The "Here and now" Chemicals include oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. They help us enjoy and appreciate what we already have.

• The "Up" Chemical: Dopamine drives us to seek, acquire, and control new things. It is responsible for ambition, innovation, and long-term planning.

The problem arises when dopamine is triggered excessively by artificial stimuli—social media, junk food, and endless entertainment—without real effort or meaningful reward. This leads to addiction, dissatisfaction, and an inability to appreciate what we already have.

The Impact of Cheap Dopamine on Society
This epidemic of artificial stimulation has severe consequences. Relationships suffer as people seek novelty instead of deep connection. Work ethic declines as quick entertainment replaces meaningful achievement. Anxiety and depression rise as people constantly chase an unattainable state of satisfaction.

This isn’t just a personal problem—it’s a societal one. The widespread addiction to short-term gratification has led to a cultural shift where people are less willing to delay gratification and work toward long-term goals.

Escaping the Dopamine Trap: A Holistic Solution
The key to overcoming this crisis isn’t eliminating dopamine but channeling it toward long-term, fulfilling pursuits. Success and failure often come down to short-term vs. long-term gratification.

• Short-term gratification (cheap dopamine) leads to entropy. It creates chaos, uncertainty, and disorder in our minds and lives.

• Long-term gratification (earned dopamine) leads to centropy. It brings stability, fulfillment, and meaningful progress.

We must reframe how we interact with technology and modern stimuli to regain control.

Curating Your Digital Environment
Your environment shapes your behavior, and the digital world is no different. Social media algorithms are designed to keep you engaged, often through divisive or sensationalist content.

To regain control:

• Unfollow accounts that do not contribute to your growth.

• Prioritise long-form content that challenges and expands your understanding.

• Follow creators who provide valuable insights rather than shallow entertainment.

• Be ruthless about eliminating distractions that do not serve your personal development.

Focusing on Meaningful Projects
Dopamine isn’t inherently bad—it’s about how it’s used. Instead of passively consuming content, redirect that energy into productive and fulfilling projects.

• Choose a project that aligns with your skills and interests.

• Invest time in deep work rather than quick rewards.

• Create something of value that contributes to the world.

Projects provide structure, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. They transform passive consumption into active creation, leading to greater fullfillment.

Earning Your Control and Freedom
Traditional employment is no longer the only option. The rise of the digital economy offers new opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency.

Instead of relying on a job to dictate your financial security, consider building an independent income source through:

• Content creation and education.

• Entrepreneurship and business.

• Skill development and freelancing.

Success in the digital age comes from shifting from consumer to creator. By producing valuable content, developing skills, and building a business, you can leverage the internet to create a sustainable, fulfilling career.

Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Dopamine
Dopamine is neither good nor bad—it is a tool. The key is learning to manage it effectively.

By curating your digital environment, engaging in meaningful projects, and focusing on long-term goals, you can harness dopamine as a force for growth rather than a source of addiction.

The modern world is filled with distractions, but you can create an intentional life. The choice is yours: remain a passive consumer or take control and build something meaningful.

Shaped by automation and artificial intelligence. Jobs once considered stable are becoming obsolete, and the realisation sets in that years of narrow education have left many ill-equipped to adapt. This creates a more profound existential crisis in which