Genetic Blueprints

The essence of human nature is deeply rooted in survival and reproduction. Our behaviors are shaped by the external environment we encounter. Actions that enhance survival and reproductive success have been preserved throughout the long evolutionary history of our species. They are encoded into our genes and passed down through generations, manifesting as instincts that primarily drive us to seek ease and avoid difficulty.

Ease represents certainty, immediacy, and effortlessness. Our ancestors sought easy sources of energy to obtain it quickly with minimal effort, thereby increasing their chances of survival. This instinct has been encoded into our genetic blueprints, manifesting in our preference for certain, immediate, and effortless results. For example, we often choose to watch TV over engaging in physical exercise, despite the well-known long-term benefits of the latter. Exercise consumes energy, and its benefits are not immediately visible. Consequently, we tend to engage in tasks that offer guaranteed and immediate rewards to stay motivated, which can lead to impatience and shortsightedness.

Difficulty symbolizes challenges, uncertainty, and risk. Our ancestors avoided unnecessary risks and dangers to conserve energy for survival. In our modern society, this instinct manifests in behaviors such as an aversion to risk and uncertainty, as well as avoiding challenges. For instance, people tend to be reluctant to think deeply, as it requires a high-level consumption of energy and challenges our existing beliefs and knowledge. We also often experience anxiety and insecurity about uncertain situations and struggle to maintain habits that lack clear and certain results.

While some say that personal growth is a process of overcoming human instincts. In my opinion, it's more important to understand their origins and how they impact our day-to-day behavior. By designing mechanisms that leverage these instincts, we can develop strategies to engage in activities that may be challenging in the short term but ultimately beneficial for our long-term well-being.