ADHD, Dopamine, and Rats Pushing Levers - Clinton White | grokludo 24

We didn't evolve for all of this. The modern world is very different to the one we evolved to compete and thrive in. But that mismatch might be more pronounced for the neurodivergent mind.

Dr Clinton White has an upcoming book, Fast Mind, Slow World, which expands on the theory that at the group level, it was evolutionarily advantageous to have a small proportion of the group as neurodivergent. Whether that be ADHD, level 1 autistic, or whatever.

"We haven't had nearly enough generations to adapt to the modern world," he says.

Modern life has different demands. How do those with abnormal attention fare in the attention economy? That includes games and loot boxes, but also social media, and everything else.

This week. Clinton and I talk about evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of neurodivergence, the misunderstood role of dopamine, variable reward schedules and the appeal of randomness, and how those with ADHD can be more vulnerable to gambling-like systems in games.

I hope you enjoy, and have a great week!