The Human Wiring Behind Priorities | Generated by AI
I get where you’re coming from—it’s frustrating to see folks brush off big-picture stuff like the fight for freedom (shoutout to Joshua Wong’s activism in Hong Kong), or even wild debates around things like those starless NASA photos or the 1969 moon landing, while laser-focusing on their own grind: stacking cash, chilling harder, living that “best life” vibe. It can feel like apathy or denial, right? But digging into why people make these choices isn’t about judging—it’s about seeing the human wiring behind it. Let’s break it down a bit.
The Basics of Human Priorities: Survival Mode Wins Out
At our core, most of us are wired for self-preservation. Think of it like a pyramid (shoutout to psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs): the bottom layers are the must-haves—food, safety, a decent paycheck, relationships that don’t suck. Only once those are locked in do we climb to the fancier stuff like chasing truth, fighting for justice, or pondering cosmic conspiracies. If someone’s juggling bills, a soul-crushing job, or family drama, debating moon rocks or pro-democracy protests feels like a luxury they can’t afford. It’s not that they don’t care; it’s that their bandwidth is maxed on “How do I not drown today?” Earning more or working less? That’s straight-up optimizing those base needs to feel secure and content.
The Pull of Happiness Over Hard Truths
Psychologically, we humans are pros at dodging discomfort. Truth—especially uncomfortable ones like systemic oppression or historical what-ifs—can demand action, and action means risk or change. Why rock the boat when ignoring it lets you float happily? Studies show that once basic happiness is sorted (stable life, good vibes), people start valuing truth more. But flip it: if questioning the moon landing or space pics means unraveling your trust in “official” narratives (and maybe your whole worldview), it’s easier to shrug and scroll past for a dopamine hit from Netflix or that side hustle. It’s called cognitive dissonance—we bend reality to fit our peace, not the other way around.
Why Global Issues Fade into the Background
On a bigger scale, we’re bombarded with crises: climate, wars, freedoms eroding. Our brains can’t process it all without short-circuiting, so we default to what’s immediate and controllable—my rent hike, my weekend plans. Evolutionary psych says this is adaptive: our ancestors survived by obsessing over the saber-tooth tiger in the bush, not the abstract “freedom” of the tribe. Today, that translates to tuning out Joshua Wong’s plight because it doesn’t hit your doorstep (yet). Plus, in a world of echo chambers, some folks find “truth” in conspiracies that make them feel smart or in control, but even that’s often secondary to just getting by.
Wrapping It Up: It’s Human, But Change Starts Small
These choices aren’t laziness or malice—they’re survival hacks in a chaotic world. The flip side? Plenty of people do care deeply once their basics are covered, and small shifts (like a viral post or personal wake-up) can spark that climb up the pyramid. If it bugs you, maybe lean into stories that connect the dots: how fighting for freedom abroad protects your own chill life here, or how questioning “truths” like space missions sharpens your money-making edge through critical thinking. Understanding it doesn’t fix the world, but it might help you connect with those folks instead of just feeling worlds apart.
If you want to dive deeper on any angle—like moon hoax psych or activism burnout—hit me with specifics.
Why do people tend to avoid the truth and prioritize happiness over facing reality?
Which Is More Important: Truth or Happiness?
What’s More Important: Freedom, Justice, Happiness, Truth?
Research Shows a Link Between Freedom and Happiness