Behavioral economists refer to this tendency as time inconsistency.That is, the way your brain evaluates rewards is inconsistent across time.You value the present more than the future.Usually, this tendency serves us well.A reward that is certain right now is typically worth more than one that is merely possible in the future.But occasionally, our bias toward instant gratification causes problems.Why would someone smoke if they know it increases the risk of lung cancer?Why would someone overeat when they know it increases their risk of obesity?Why would someone have unsafe sex if they know it can result in sexually transmitted disease?Once you understand how the brain prioritizes rewards, the answers become clear: the consequences of bad habits are delayed while the rewards are immediate.Smoking might kill you in ten years, but it reduces stress and eases your nicotine cravings now.Overeating is harmful in the long run but appetizing in the moment.Sex—safe or not—provides pleasure right away.Disease and infection won’t show up for days or weeks, even years.Every habit produces multiple outcomes across time.Unfortunately, these outcomes are often misaligned.With our bad habits, the immediate outcome usually feels good, but the ultimate outcome feels bad.With good habits, it is the reverse: the immediate outcome is unenjoyable, but the ultimate outcome feels good.The French economist Frédéric Bastiat explained the problem clearly when he wrote, “It almost always happens that when the immediate consequence is favorable, the later consequences are disastrous, and vice versa. Often, the sweeter the first fruit of a habit, the more bitter are its later fruits.”
Ex: Clinics provide testing for sexually transmitted disease.
例句翻译:诊所提供性传播疾病检测。 分析:这个短语指通过性接触传播的疾病。
Once you understand how the brain prioritizes rewards, the answers become clear: the consequences of bad habits are delayed while the rewards are immediate.
Unfortunately, these outcomes are often misaligned.
不幸的是,这些结果常常并不一致。
misaligned/ˌmɪsəˈlaɪnd/
不一致的;错位的
Ex: The team's goals were misaligned with the budget.
例句翻译:团队目标和预算并不一致。 分析:misaligned 表示目标、结果或方向不匹配。
With our bad habits, the immediate outcome usually feels good, but the ultimate outcome feels bad.
对于坏习惯,即时结果通常感觉很好,但最终结果感觉很糟。
immediate/ɪˈmiːdiət/
即时的;立刻的
Ex: The app gives immediate feedback after each quiz.
例句翻译:每次测验后,这个应用会立刻给出反馈。 分析:immediate 表示马上发生或出现。
ultimate outcome/ˈʌltɪmət ˈaʊtkʌm/
最终结果
Ex: The ultimate outcome of saving is financial freedom.
例句翻译:存钱的最终结果是财务自由。 分析:ultimate outcome 指最后、长期的结果。
With good habits, it is the reverse: the immediate outcome is unenjoyable, but the ultimate outcome feels good.
对于好习惯,情况正好相反:即时结果并不愉快,但最终结果感觉很好。
the reverse/ðə rɪˈvɜːrs/
相反情况
Ex: For morning people, the reverse is often true at night.
例句翻译:对早起型的人来说,晚上常常相反。 分析:the reverse 表示相反的情况。
unenjoyable/ˌʌnɪnˈdʒɔɪəbl/
不愉快的
Ex: The first week of training was unenjoyable but useful.
例句翻译:训练的第一周并不愉快,但很有用。 分析:unenjoyable 表示体验不舒服、不享受。
ultimate outcome/ˈʌltɪmət ˈaʊtkʌm/
最终结果
Ex: The ultimate outcome of saving is financial freedom.
例句翻译:存钱的最终结果是财务自由。 分析:ultimate outcome 指最后、长期的结果。
The French economist Frédéric Bastiat explained the problem clearly when he wrote, “It almost always happens that when the immediate consequence is favorable, the later consequences are disastrous, and vice versa. Often, the sweeter the first fruit of a habit, the more bitter are its later fruits.”