Negative Consumption

In today’s world, men feel extremely isolated. They have no supportive friends, they lack authentic connections and feel left out and lagging in life. They accept mediocre (or even sub-mediocre) standards because they do not have any cause for growth.

They ease themselves by consuming fast food, porn, entertainment videos, movies and tv shows - all leading to virtual escapism.

Some times, it feels as if modern life is architected to support such vices. It is somehow structured to keep men weak and at their lowest.

One of the primary causes of depression in young men is not poverty or bad health or low status. These are all symptoms of the underlying concern - consumption.

Consumption begets compulsion.

Content consumption makes us want things beyond our current means. It distorts our desires.

Fast food consumption disorients our dopamine and serotonin levels, making us crave more and stay unhappy.

Porn and video games estrange us from the real world. It ensures that we live in our fantasies - not where life is meant to be lived.

This form of negative consumption leads us to feel hollow, as though an abyss awaits within us.

It keeps us unsatisfied and corrodes our existence.

Positive Consumption

There is a more optimistic side to the story of consumption.

Consumption helps us learn new things, cultivate mastery and assimilate novel ideas.

It is a way of accelerating personal growth.

You can read somebody’s life’s research in one afternoon if it is compiled into a book.

You can watch a video about how somebody in a similar situation as you ended up making it out and achieving what you want.

You gain access to guides and courses and other highly valuable sources of media.

Healthy food consumption will make you stronger and will make your brain work more effectively.

You will be able to assimilate new ideas faster.

Instead of it being some kind of inner crucifixion, it becomes into something fruitful.

This form of positive consumption propels us forward and therefore helps us accomplish our aspirations.

The Conclusion

Positive and negative consumption each have their own effects on us. It is easy to fall for the latter, but we must acknowledge the price of taking pleasures in our actions.

Positive consumption will always lead to a more fulfilling life. It will be our rescuer and guide for the rest of our journey and therefore we must learn to embrace it with intention.