If we know the right direction to go, then why is it so hard to go there? The book, “The Pleasure Trap,” is innovative because it explores the motivations and principles of our behavior. The authors, Douglas J. Lisle, PhD and Alan Goldhamer, D.C. give an interesting perspective on how today’s modern culture can cause intelligent, health conscious individuals to be the saboteurs of their own well-being. They challenge the conventional wisdom of the causes of depression and illness in today’s modern lifestyle. Although the evidence and benefits supporting a healthy diet and lifestyle is well known, most find it difficult or impossible to practice this behavior. We give many reasons to justify this behavior, whether it be a matter of convenience,
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gives an interesting perspective that our ancestors were generally much more active, mostly slept at night and stayed awake during the day. He explains the invention of the artificial light can interfere with this normal body process that allows us to get enough sleep. This dependency on artificial light causes most Americans live a majority of their lives with sleep deprivation. Although technological advances can be of great benefit, they tend to cause distraction in our lives which results in sleep deprivation. Lisle explains that each of us inherits certain incentives from our ancestors which he terms The Motivational Triad. This evolution causes us to conserve energy, avoid pain and seek pleasure. These instincts, which once insured survival and reproduction, no longer serve us in present day American culture where fast food, drugs, and lazy lifestyle are the normal. The lack of sleep subjects our bodies to numerous health risks. The National Highway traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue causes 100,000 auto crashes and 1,550 crash-related deaths a year and young adults are most at risk. Such behavior is a trap that is not in our best interests, and some people have adapted so well to being chronically sleep deprived that they may fail to recognize the adverse effects. A crucial element of our behavior is our addiction for instant pleasure while sacrificing long term health and happiness. Lisle believes that when a supernormal stimulus (such as drugs, fast food, or excessive amounts of television) is used not normally in the in the environment, it can potentially become self-destructive or maybe even
gives an interesting perspective that our ancestors were generally much more active, mostly slept at night and stayed awake during the day. He explains the invention of the artificial light can interfere with this normal body process that allows us to get enough sleep. This dependency on artificial light causes most Americans live a majority of their lives with sleep deprivation. Although technological advances can be of great benefit, they tend to cause distraction in our lives which results in sleep deprivation. Lisle explains that each of us inherits certain incentives from our ancestors which he terms The Motivational Triad. This evolution causes us to conserve energy, avoid pain and seek pleasure. These instincts, which once insured survival and reproduction, no longer serve us in present day American culture where fast food, drugs, and lazy lifestyle are the normal. The lack of sleep subjects our bodies to numerous health risks. The National Highway traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue causes 100,000 auto crashes and 1,550 crash-related deaths a year and young adults are most at risk. Such behavior is a trap that is not in our best interests, and some people have adapted so well to being chronically sleep deprived that they may fail to recognize the adverse effects. A crucial element of our behavior is our addiction for instant pleasure while sacrificing long term health and happiness. Lisle believes that when a supernormal stimulus (such as drugs, fast food, or excessive amounts of television) is used not normally in the in the environment, it can potentially become self-destructive or maybe even