Van Fenema: “We have become addicted consumers. The reward system must be constantly stimulated to expel emptiness, to dampen that unpleasant feeling. Whether it concerns telephone use, drug use, sex, watching porn or a gambling addiction. It is the same mechanism .”
“Don’t look at that phone every moment”
Van Fenema wishes Western society “guts and suffering”. “I hope that leads to change or to let go of this way of life, which is so unsatisfying. But, we find guts very exciting. Our brain is programmed in such a way that change is inherently dangerous. And suffering means that you come to a point that you think: I really don’t want this life anymore. I don’t want to look at that phone every time, go shopping, hope I feel good.”
