Arthur Brooks

So for example, this is one of the reasons that the more pornography people look at, largely young men, because more than 85% of pornography is being consumed by men.

Now you're thinking, I know what you're thinking.

Who are the 15%?

Thank you.

So the more pornography that men look at, the lonelier they get.

So in the moment, they feel less lonely and the more satisfied they feel.

But the more unsatisfied and the lonelier they actually get because it's a simulation for the experience they're actually seeking.

And it's unsatisfactory as a result of that.

You want actual human connection with another person.

That's what you actually want.

And you're settling for a two-dimensional simulacrum for it.

Achievement is a counterfeit source is something that you actually get that doesn't build anything real of any real consequence in life.

So the idea is like you just score in a game.

gives you a real short-term sense of achievement, which is a source of purpose, which is a component of meaning, but it isn't real.

It's fake.

It's counterfeit.

It's simulated.

And that's one of the reasons that you'll find that you've got to do more and more and more and more and more to keep up with it.

They used to say, if you really want to have lived a good life, you know what you need to do?

You need to have a son, plant a tree, and write a book.