As we gamify our lives, even love has become a game.
The chemical of addiction is dopamine. The reward that our brain receives is a hit of dopamine when we win the lottery, win the video game, win at blackjack, win the girl or guy, win … win … win … This brain neurotransmitter makes us feel good.
Here’s a poem (perhaps someday song lyrics) by my friend Natalie Wilson (posted here with permission).
It Ain’t Love It’s Dopamine
Friday afternoon and the flirtin’s in play
Can’t wait to get home & get ready for your date
Swipin left til you wanna swipe right
Time to chose who you’ll love tonight.
Walkin’ to the subway -men passin you by
Too busy on the phone to look ’em in the eye
A brave soul speaks but you’ve turned shy
Give him your hashtag and say insta me at nine
Time to bounce when your hookup ends
Not worth a second look so you won’t pretend
Your fingers start flying with the need to be seen
Telling life in a story that reads like a dream
When your romance happens on a 5″ screen
Honey it ain’t love it’s dopamine
You’re out with the squad everyone’s on her phone
Sittin’ together but livin’ alone
Tortured by the bother of being grown
Cuz adulting gets done in your parents’ home
Insta a pic like you’re all buck wild
Get back to textin’ like you’re an only child
Beautifying your dope profile
Calling friends ratchet behind false smiles
One by one you all swipe right
Send out an eggplant then a big flashlight
Your fingers are flying with the need to be seen
Telling life in a story that reads like a dream
When your friendship happens on a 5″ screen
It ain’t happiness it’s dopamine
Your fingers start flying with the need to be seen
Telling life in a story that reads like a dream
When your romance happens on a 5″ screen
Honey it ain’t love it’s dopamine
~ Copyright 2018 Natalie Wilson, All Rights Reserved. Posted here with Permission from the Author.
EGGGGZellent take on the Digital world today! I found it as interesting as it was inspiring! Will forward to my children,grandchildren as well as the great-grandchildren……not leaving out my age group who have forsaken the ‘old ways’ and are now in the cyber space of, forgetting the art of CONVERSATION!
Thank you for the feedback, Monica. Hearing that the words inspire another is a writer’s dream come true.