When I was in college I took a course on persuasion and one of the facts I have
held onto is this: People are four times more likely to do something to
avoid pain than to gain pleasure. If you think about it, the statement is
true. I don’t pay my bills every month because it makes me feel so
good. I do it so I don’t have late fees or get harassing phone calls at my
home. My annual flu shot is not something that brings me joy. Of
course there are things I do to gain pleasure. When you think about it,
though, the heart of what motivates people to do things is fear. Even in
dating, there is certainly a desire for pleasure but there is also the fear of
being alone. Fear and fear of loss in particular is a powerful
motivator. That brings me to my point. Why do people love to
gamble? I am not talking about buying a lottery ticket when the jackpot
reaches some record number or the ones who set $20 aside to “entertain”
themselves at slots. I’m talking about people who lose their life’s
savings and more in casinos and betting. For me, the fear of loss over my
money more than compensates for that desire for gain. I work hard for my
money and cannot stand to lose it for a thrill. Have you ever torn your
room apart looking for some money you know you had on a table or in some
jeans? Then multiply that amount. Gambling simply makes no sense to
me. Every game in a casino has the odds in favor of the house. Still
people ignore the fear of loss and gamble away even though they know they are
likely to lose their money. And when they occasionally win, what do they
usually turn around and do? They bet it again. Then the house wins
back what you have just won. Few people walk out of the casinos on
top in the money department. For these people the only thing I can figure
is that their desire for gain somehow overwhelms their fear of loss.
Somehow that fear is not as strong in them. Perhaps their losses have not
adversely affected their quality of life. Perhaps the thrill of possibly
winning is intoxicating and blocks out all other thought. Whatever the
reason, I believe the fear of loss catches up with these people eventually and
they feel a crash. When there are no more chips and the bank account is
dry, it has to hit home. I have seen lives ruined by gambling and it is a
shame. This is not a blog to degrade anyone who gambles. I just
don’t see the great thrill it provides. Heck, I’m still looking for the
money I lost in my room!
held onto is this: People are four times more likely to do something to
avoid pain than to gain pleasure. If you think about it, the statement is
true. I don’t pay my bills every month because it makes me feel so
good. I do it so I don’t have late fees or get harassing phone calls at my
home. My annual flu shot is not something that brings me joy. Of
course there are things I do to gain pleasure. When you think about it,
though, the heart of what motivates people to do things is fear. Even in
dating, there is certainly a desire for pleasure but there is also the fear of
being alone. Fear and fear of loss in particular is a powerful
motivator. That brings me to my point. Why do people love to
gamble? I am not talking about buying a lottery ticket when the jackpot
reaches some record number or the ones who set $20 aside to “entertain”
themselves at slots. I’m talking about people who lose their life’s
savings and more in casinos and betting. For me, the fear of loss over my
money more than compensates for that desire for gain. I work hard for my
money and cannot stand to lose it for a thrill. Have you ever torn your
room apart looking for some money you know you had on a table or in some
jeans? Then multiply that amount. Gambling simply makes no sense to
me. Every game in a casino has the odds in favor of the house. Still
people ignore the fear of loss and gamble away even though they know they are
likely to lose their money. And when they occasionally win, what do they
usually turn around and do? They bet it again. Then the house wins
back what you have just won. Few people walk out of the casinos on
top in the money department. For these people the only thing I can figure
is that their desire for gain somehow overwhelms their fear of loss.
Somehow that fear is not as strong in them. Perhaps their losses have not
adversely affected their quality of life. Perhaps the thrill of possibly
winning is intoxicating and blocks out all other thought. Whatever the
reason, I believe the fear of loss catches up with these people eventually and
they feel a crash. When there are no more chips and the bank account is
dry, it has to hit home. I have seen lives ruined by gambling and it is a
shame. This is not a blog to degrade anyone who gambles. I just
don’t see the great thrill it provides. Heck, I’m still looking for the
money I lost in my room!
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