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Comment by nom | Hacker News Reader

For most people in the first world the primary needs (water, food, health) are adequately satisfied, but the dopamine system doesn't stop there and requires further stimulation. That's why we have things like coffee, nicotine, alcohol and other drugs, theme parks, consumerism etc.. Most are never satisfied with what they've got, it's just human nature.

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Perhaps what the first world needs is a little simulated conflict. Something a little more high stakes than video games and a little less than The Game starring Michael Douglas. Not sure what form it should take.

I believe what you're looking for is called "sports".

Absolutely. How else can an activity like Riding dirt bikes, with a near 100% injury rate for even casual riders wearing full safety gear, be popular?

So many things in our society are overly sanitized to the point that we have an almost complete mental aversion to the idea that some things can be unavoidably dangerous and will still be beneficial (or at least that we should be allowed to do them because we want to, because we are free human beings).

Back on topic, after riding a dirt bike I just feel... Alive? For days afterwards I feel like a complete human. It makes the injuries worth it.

A good book on the subject is Foolproof: how safety can be dangerous and danger makes us safe -- Greg IP

Thats social media, for the "like" addicted.

I should've included that on my list. Social media - the modern high. Also: games!

The Game was great, though. My favorite movie by far.

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