We know the Perils of Ultra-Processed Foods. But ‘Ultra-Processed Experiences” are even worse.
Technology is Replacing Real-Life Experiences. Here’s why that’s dangerous and how to overcome it.
In the 20th Century, capitalism and industrialization combined to replace real food with ultra-processed fare. Loaded with preservatives and formulated with an unnatural combination of sugar, salt, and fat, French fries, frozen entrees, and Fritos became our dietary staples. Low on nutrition but high on taste and convenience, these offerings drove out healthier options and led to a stunning rise in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
In the 21st Century, Silicon Valley and technology have conspired to do the same with experiences. The proliferation of smartphones and apps has given us wondrous tools to communicate but at the actual cost of human connection.
Texting replaced talking. Dating apps supplanted meeting IRL. Zoom Calls made meetings but also meet-ups less common. Uber Eats replaced cooking and dining as an activity and a social outing. Netflix killed the movie-going experience for all but a few die-hard Top Gun fans.
In each case, we settled for easy-but-empty exchanges that technology readily provides. In doing so, we unwittingly traded real life — the equivalent of real food — for “ultra-processed experiences.”
The result? A crisis of loneliness across all demographic groups, a surge in mental health issues and anxiety, and a lack of what both Aristotle and Adam Grant would call “flourishing.”
This is maladaptive behavior. Our brains evolved to crave natural food and authentic experiences — but we willingly swap out in-person socializing for inferior social media substitutes. Why? There is a good neuroscience explanation for this.
First, the brain is stingy when it comes to energy allotment. The cheaper, the better. These digital interactions are incredibly convenient, so we choose the path of least resistance.
Second, these experiences hack our reward system. Food engineers have created hyper-palatable snacks that hijack our predisposition for sugar, salt, and fat. Our brains weren’t designed for this kind of food — or the app equivalent of Doritos-flavored tacos. Tech engineers have done the same, making Instagram, TikTok, and Roblox fiendishly addictive with tricks like intermittent rewards and infinite scrolls. Junk food spikes our blood sugar, and junk experiences spike our dopamine levels.
Third, they fool our brains into believing we get satisfying social exchanges. Sure, a “Like” and its associated dopamine squirt feels good, but has it ever compared to the wave of oxytocin that washes over you when you hug a friend? What’s worse, this virtual socializing is just pleasant enough that it disincentivizes us to make the “effort” to meet up with people. Think about it: if you’re texting all day long with someone, do you feel the need to drive 20 minutes to have dinner with them? Most people don’t — and thereby accept an inferior substitute instead of a full-spectrum social experience.
So what can we do about it? Pay Attention, and Practice Intention and Moderation.
First, recognize how often you substitute organic interactions for ultra-processed versions. It’s time to take the red pill.
Second, become more intentional about your choices. If you’re going to chase cheap dopamine, do it on purpose. Reward yourself with deliberate distraction rather than mindless scrolling.
Third, don’t stop cold turkey; introduce more moderation into the mix. Build in “cheat meals” or cheat moments.
Finally, author Michael Pollan developed a simple nutrition rule worth remembering: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” He inspired me to propose a similar one for managing Ultra-Processed Experiences:
Have IRL encounters. As often as you can. Ideally, active and outside.
Much of modern life is now made up of convenient but unsatisfying virtual exchanges. Don’t let technology rob you of real life; unplug and reconnect. Just as when you choose a banana over a Big Mac, your brain and body will thank you.
