I am in a room surrounded by items of such complexity, utility and quality that they would have been far beyond the reach of the wealthiest people or nations just a few decades ago. I have nearly infinitely powerful computer in my pocket with the answer to all questions. Ability to communicate instantly with anyone I know or to network with those that I don’t. But my brain tells me that I need the new one that just came out. The one that is one percent better than the last one.

My brain tells me, that best way for me to improve myself is to acquire some new tool. To find something external to me that will make the task easier, the quality better.

My artwork would be better with the best supplies. My photography would be improved by a new camera or lens. A better guitar would sound better and be easier to play. This is not untrue.

But the problem is when our entire society revolves around getting better and better things. Getting higher tiers of loot, to borrow a phrase from online gaming.

In the world of contemporary online games, this phase of a game, the phase when you are no longer leveling up, no longer growing as a character is known as the end game. Many modern games have a very short story or character progression, and then move on to the end game. The phase of acquiring better and shinier things. Often these things are functionally identical and are only cosmetic items.

These games can reduce the experience of playing the game down to the chemical release in your brain when you acquire something new, followed by the feeling of dissatisfaction when you realise that you are still playing the same game. Nothing has really changed.

It’s fine to get new things if it enhances the game itself. It’s a problem when the endgame becomes your game in real life.

If you are feeling frustrated by the grind of getting new things and then realising that they don’t change your life, stop playing the endgame. Go back to the part where you are still trying to level up.

ARTWORKING

High Tier Loot