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Genetic Reason for Your Gadget Habit

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the well-lookie-there dept.

You can't help it if you need to get the latest gadgets. Well... perhaps it's not quite such a serious medical affliction, but scientists have found a genetic basis for some folks' burning desire to have the latest and greatest. There's even a name for it - neophilia. Apparently, some of us have elevated levels of a cellular enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, and are more in need of stimulation from new things.

5 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. Implications go beyond gadgets by rtobyr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if people with elevated levels of monoamine oxidase A are more inclined to engage in infidelity, citing the need for a variety of partners.

  2. Grow out of it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    When I was younger I would have fit the neophilia profile. I had to have the latest video game system and all of the games, the latest stereo, latest everything. I've noticed that over the past 10 years or so I've become less interested in technology in general. Mind you I'm still heavily engrossed in technology every day (I'm a programmer), but I'm finding that I just don't care anymore. Maybe its just the stress of it all, I don't know. Has anyone else experienced this?

    1. Re:Grow out of it by clickclickdrone · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Exactly the same here. I was for years the proverbial early adopter in all areas of tech toys - consoles, PCs, home cinema etc. Now I just look at it and think "what's the point?". I figured it was down to becoming a parent and having A) less disposable cash (OK, no disposable cash) and B) realising there are far more important things in life than shiny stuff. Mmmmm shiny stuff..... Where was I? Oh yes, I also noticed I started to feel *worse* after buying new stuff as it added little to my life except more clutter and left a hole in my pocket making me regret the purchase almost as soon as I walked out the shop.

      --
      I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
  3. Re:ADD of the new millennium by Frag-A-Muffin · · Score: 2, Interesting


    Perhaps it works the other way around. Children who are spoiled and greedy DEVELOP elevated levels of monoamine oxidase A as a result.

    Hmmmmm ... seems to be backwards for me then. I didn't have much growing up, parents immigrated from Vietnam with kids in tow. Toys were scarce as a kid. But as an adult with money to spend, I find myself compensating for my lack-of-toys childhood.

    --

    AirSpeak - http://itunes.com/apps/AirSpeak
  4. Re:Is there a cure? by kfg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you've never used stone age technology to accomplish a goal it is just as "new" to you, and your enzymes, as the "latest" gadget.

    KFG