Why do we, as humans, prefer instant gratification?

Question: Why do we, as humans, prefer instant gratification!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

It's what makes most people average, or you can call it "shortsighted"!.

Most people have a very low drive in life, to boost it people would seek something that can provide instant gratification (e!.g!. Binge Drinking/ Pub brawls)

Seeking for recognition from peers is also a problem between people!. Most people don't have the ability to not give a damn about other people's opinion (But they think they do), so they will try to adjust themselves in order to gain recognition!.

Here's an example: On the internet you will see many people using "You are still living your parents" as an insult, and people have been conditioned to think living with parents is not mature!. In fact, I consider living with parents netural, if renting will consume half of your income and your parents are nowhere near abusive, I would say it's better off to live under the same roof since you will have the leverage of not paying utility bills and land rates!.

The conditioning drives people to think "You need to be living on your own, that means you are mature and independent" so people go out and spend their life working to pay off rent, especially young people!.

Since instant gratification doesn't last long, people would need to do it often!. Therefore resulting in long term suffering!.

also works as a commercial tool!. Buying the latest products such as iPod gives people instant gratification as well, it's the "I have it and you don't" or "Everyone has it but I don't" mentality will drive people to buy the latest product, see the latest movie, try to buy the best car and all other liabilities which people consider to be assets!.

But as you know there are more products coming out almost every week, and people would spend most of their money on those things, causing their pocket getting thinner and run into the need for even more gratification!. Then the bank introduces a credit card to you at a rate around!.!. let's say 15%, so the gratification drive in people drives them to use the card when they have no money in daily account, thus running into debt circle!.

With that, it will keep you working for money, work for someone else and make money for your boss!. People would be afraid about finding a new job because working for the current one will give them sense of security!.

All those above is first layer conditioning, the second layer conditioning is simple: Make you think that it's pefectly normal agree to the first layer conditioning (See the "living with parent" part)

To summary, it's consumerism under cover!. It conditions your peers first, and let your peers condition you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I will try to assist with this question, even though you have used the term "we," which accuses readers of something they may have never done!. Not all "HUMANS" prefer instant gratification, that is something, which the younger generations prefer!. "Humans" as creatures of comfort have always wish for and wanted instant gratification, having watch their leaders revel in the spoils and gains from standing on the backs of the lower classes!. The Lower classes know well the patience of life, as they have endured more hardship for longer periods of time than can be accounted for!. They know not the "Instant Gratification" of which you speak!.
There are over 1 billion children living in poverty who would love to be instantly gratified, but that is not going to happen, is it!?
When a person uses terms like; we, us and our; or the inclusive terms such as everybody and everyone, beware, in doing so you must by interpretation,count all humans as members of the list!.
Inherently, these have been terms improperly used, for far too long!.
If you as a human, prefer instant gratification, one cannot use the term "we," because you include all!. Think of your question, just to your self, do you mean all humans, or just the selfish and greedy ones you are unfortunately acquainted with!.
Properly posed this question should be:
"Why do many humans prefer instant gratification!?"
In this manner one does not offend samaritans and those who are truly charitable of heart!.
There is reason why the source is "Angelic Insight!"Www@QuestionHome@Com

As others have said; its just quicker!. And with limited time on Earth, we want it quickly!.

However, it should be noted that not every human prefers instant gratification!. In some ways its natural, but we have become far more impatient than even we used to be!. We always wanted it now; but in the past humans did not go as "crazy" if they didn't get things immediately!.

I personally blame technology!. Its gotten to the point where much of what we want can be instantaneously done!. You're bored!? Hit a button and you've got TV, or radio, or a computer, etc!. You're hungry!? Put some leftovers in a microwave for all of about a minute and you've got a ready made meal!. You want to visit grandma but she is 30 miles away in the next town over!? Get in a car; what used to be a three day walk can now be covered in all of about 30 minutes!.

After getting this for years at a time; you lose a certain amount of patience when things take longer than a minute or two!.

Those who live lives that aren't as tech-savvy also tend to be far more patient!. And there is even a certain amount of teaching in all religions to avoid instant gratification; Buddhism being the most obvious but even Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc!. among these as well!.

People in other countries who have less and believe more tend to be far more patient and don't feel the need for instant gratification that we do now!. There was a time when Americans were among those that could handle not getting everything they wanted in the here and now!. But technology has made that day a distant one!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because we want to have a sense of accomplishment, have a need for recognition and set goals for ourselves!. We're very insecure in comparison to animals!. They simply "live", while we're not even capable of living simply!.As was previously mentioned, we're impatient and we try to do too many things at the same time!. Without instant gratification, we become frustrated and feel inept and inadequate!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm not so sure that this is a human trait!. I think instant gratification is much more likely a cultural trait!. A consumer society where private preferences reign and the enitre point of individual existence is to make money to buy luxuries is going to likely lead to people driven by instant gratification!. I think it is a mistake to elevate this to human nature!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it's because we are more aware of the end of life!. We seem to be the only animals that realize that we are going to die and feel the need to get things done in the little time that we have!. If we have instant gratification, then it's one more thing that we can check off our list of things to do before we die!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because we 'can'!~ Who wants to wait when they can have it now!? This is the age of speed and technology!. We are going at such a fast pace now, everything has to keep up with it! Where is it all going to end up!? Only God knows!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Tell me something!.!.!.you left a comment on my question COMPLETELY unrelated to the answer i was seeking!.!.!.so now i am going to do it to you!.

Why am i an "unoriginal thinker" and why do i "disgust you" because i am curious!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

PLEASURE, it's a lot of FUN!.

THERE IS NO COMMITMENT, or if there is!. It doesnt cost, at all or very little and there is no!. Future Requirements!.

No Critical Involvement, ie You go your way and I'll go mine or is it going to be Left hand or Right hand tonight!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, it just makes sense!. You can have a cookie now or a cookie later--why wait!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't know can't you ask questions faster!?

What!? No instant response!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because we are impatient!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Why not!? I mean if its the choice between now and later, why choose later!? we live in the now!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because its as you say Human;Www@QuestionHome@Com

because we cant wait if we can have it nowWww@QuestionHome@Com

because we live in 2008!.Www@QuestionHome@Com