Chapter 11: An Introduction to Dopamine Games

by Charles Lyell on November 1, 2017

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” – Albert Einstein 

DIMwits play dopamine games for the same reasons chimpanzees play dopamine games. Some play in response to threats that interrupt dopamine flow. Some play to trigger dopamine. Most play for both reasons.

We respond to threats to dopamine flow by playing games that:

  • Placate fears.
  • Furnish a sense of safety.
  • Protect peer approval.
  • Guard status.

We trigger dopamine by playing games that:

  • Provide a sense of power.
  • Win peer approval.
  • Attract attention.
  • Elevate status.

The difference between DIMwits and chimpanzees is that apes play dopamine games as a means to two related ends, survival and sex. (Because expectations of orgasm provide major dopamine rewards.) DIMwits play dopamine games because our more recent ancestors turned primitive means into dead-ends unto themselves.

In a nutshell, our dull-witted predecessors started playing dopamine games simply to protect dopamine flow and/or trigger dopamine, then bequeathed their predilection down to future generations who were born into tribes that played games that kept them from noticing, comprehending, or questioning the ill-logic of honoring such a dishonest tradition.

Before introducing the first dopamine game it’s important to note that dopamine games aren’t “mind games.” Instead, they’re “mindless games” that require unconscious commitment to self-deceptions, denials, and mindlessness.

A good place to start is with a fairly straightforward dopamine game:

One-upmanship

For example, two fathers are chatting and proud pappy A starts boasting about his child’s excellent grades. Suddenly, insecure daddy B, who’s defensive about his son’s poor grades, cuts A off to brag about his daughter winning a spelling bee.

On a dopaminergic level, pappy A is playing One-upmanship to score dopamine with expectations of elevating his esteem by flaunting his kid’s grades. To protect against the threats to his esteem and dopamine flow, daddy B stops A in his tracks and tries to restore dopamine flow by grasping at straws, in much the same way he would gasp for air if his oxygen supply were cut off.

One-upmanship is played in playgrounds with sneakers, in high schools with cell phones, and in boardrooms with profits.

A more involved variation of One-upmanship is:

I Don’t Play Games (IDPG)

While it’s possible Albert Einstein didn’t play dopamine games (though it’s more likely he did and would have been the first to both understand and admit to it) most DIMwits who insist they’re above playing games are actually playing IDPG.

IDPG players play I Don’t Play Games to:

  • Protect themselves from having to consider the esteem deflating / dopamine depriving possibility they play games just like the game players they enjoy looking down on.
  • Trigger gratuitous dopamine hits by elevating their esteem with the convenient self-deception that they are superior to lesser mortals who do play games.

Learning how to follow the dopamine is the key to understanding how dopamine games work. For example, most game players can’t admit they’re playing dopamine games because honesty reduces esteem, and their sole concern is triggering dopamine, even if it means relying on self-deceptions. By following the dopamine, it’s also possible to understand why most of the few game players who willingly admit they play dopamine games are also doing it for the dopamine.

Honest types admit to playing dopamine games because being honest makes them feel good about themselves = elevates esteem = triggers dopamine. Insecure types, who admit to playing games, do so to turn off the fear = dopamine deprivation caused by expectation of being caught denying what they know they’re doing.

When confronted with their self-deceptions, adamant IDPG players often switch to another popular dopamine game:

That’s Ridiculous! (TR!)

TR! is a favorite with intellectually challenged DIMwits who aren’t able to provide honest explanations for obvious self-deceptions and suspicious denials.

Bolstered by layers of self-deceptions, accomplished TR! players convince themselves that “winning” any discussion is as easy as blurting, “That’s ridiculous!” with the confidence of a chess master proclaiming, “Checkmate!”

Warning: DIMwits who play That’s Ridiculous! often respond to challenges to their self-deceptions, pretensions, dopamine flow by escalating to one or more dangerous dopamine games, such as I Won’t Let You Prove I’m Wrong! and/or How Dare You Insult Me!.

In future chapters I’ll cover popular games DIMwits use to avoid learning about dopamine.

  • Look How Much I Already Know About Dopamine
  • I’m Tired of Hearing About Dopamine
  • Nitpicking
  • This Is Too Complicated
  • This Is Too Simplistic
  • Why Does It Matter?
  • I Won’t Let You Prove I’m Wrong!
  • How Dare You Insult Me!
  • I Totally Understand How Other People Play Games
  • Stop Attacking Me!
  • The Religion Game
  • I’m Smarter Than You Are / We’re Smarter Than They Are
  • Connoisseur
  • If You’re So Smart Why Ain’t Your Rich?
  • I Am Not an Addict
  • Bigotry, Racism, Sexism, Misogyny

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