Neuros

Knutson had proven that dopamine is for action, not happiness. The promise of reward guaranteed that participants wouldn't miss out on the reward by failing to act. What they were feeling when the reward system lit up was anticipation, not pleasure.

Evolution doesnt give a damn about happiness itself but will use the promise of happiness to keep us struggling to stay alive.

And so the promise of happiness- not the direct experience of happiness- is the brain's way to keep you hunting, gathering, working and wooing.

There are few things ever dreamed of, smoked, or injected that have as addictive an effect on our brains as technology.

This is how our devices keep us captive and always coming back for more.
Our reward system gets much more excited about a possible big win than a guaranteed smaller reward, and it will motivate us to do whatever provides the chance to win.

This is why people would rather play the lottery than earn 2% interest in a savings account, and why even the lowest employee in the company should make believe that he could someday be CEO.