Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Addiction arises from the allure of immediate rewards. These instant gratifications clearly activate our brains, attracting those who favor such rewards. They play a critical role in shaping human activities and contributing to addiction. For example, if a student struggling to focus notices immediate improvements after studying for just a little while, they are likely to keep studying diligently. Similarly, if stock investors can confirm the traded stock price a month or a year later during their transactions, they may lose interest in trading. The timing of rewards greatly influences human interactions and societal structures. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Design ethics is an essential field of study. You may wonder if ethics play a role in design, but they are crucial, particularly in terms of addiction. Slot machines, for example, are four times more addictive than other gambling games. This heightened addiction is mainly due to the variable rewards these games provide. Some designers view this addiction as a means to increase profits. A classic example is a screen with an infinite scroll function, which can lead to excessive time consumption. This occurs because the game’s rewards are unpredictable, and some designers tie this addiction directly to revenue generation. Therefore, ethical considerations are vital across all domains. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”