Genetic Reason for Your Gadget Habit

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Genetic Reason for Your Gadget Habit

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Wednesday July 12, 2006 @02:05AM 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.

27 of 239 comments (clear)

neophilia huh? by habedak · 2006-07-12 02:08 · Score: 5, Funny

Neophilia is wanting new things...
as opposed to Necrophilia, which is wanting things that aren't really 'fresh' anymore.
1. Re:neophilia huh? by clickclickdrone · 2006-07-12 02:40 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  "ham roll" = ???
  
  A roll with ham in it? A round bready thing containing sliced processed pig? Or are you just querying the lack of chutney, pickle, mayo etc. in his luncheon choice?
  
  --
  I want a list of atrocities done in your name - Recoil
The culture of victimhood by DerekLyons · 2006-07-12 02:11 · Score: 5, Insightful

So now geeks join the culture of victimhood - "it's not my fault, its my [genes|society|enviroment]!". Congratulations on finally joining the mainstream!
1. Re:The culture of victimhood by bwcarty · 2006-07-12 02:34 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Forget non-profit organizations...I'm going for a government grant to study this disorder.
  
  Of course, if I'm doing important research like this, I'm going to have to have access to the latest technology. I'll need a hefty grant.
2. Re:The culture of victimhood by wwest4 · 2006-07-12 02:51 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Maybe there's a name to describe predictable knee-jerk reactions.
  
  Tell me, does your concept of free will allow for constraints? If not, I challenge you to breathe water. And I don't want to hear any crap about how your genetics predispose you to breathing air.
Who cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-07-12 02:12 · Score: 5, Funny

The scientific details are unimportant. The real question is, as it's not my fault, who can I sue over this?
Is there a cure? by e1618978 · 2006-07-12 02:12 · Score: 4, Funny

Is there a way to cut the levels of this enzyme? I need to get my wife to stop
filling my house with crap from wal-mart and sams club. It isn't gadgets, but
I imagine that the need for new stuff would be filled via other means for
people that don't like electronics.
1. Re:Is there a cure? by Golias · 2006-07-12 02:22 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  No, see... That's called "decorating", and it's a normal behavior for human females. Those plants, wall hangings, and curios are supposed to serve the purpose of making your house look like somebody other than a Spartan warrior is living there.
  
  The alternative to having all that "crap" in your house is a divorce, after which you will probably never have to worry about a home cluttered by possessions again.
  
  --
  Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
2. Re:Is there a cure? by milamber3 · 2006-07-12 02:22 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  There are ways to cut the levels, MAOI drugs which inhibit MAO's from breaking down the monoanime neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin) are pretty powerful anti-depressants. Unfortunately they have some very unfriendly reactions with other meds as well as side effects and increased health risks. MAO's do so much more than just make you want new stuff.
3. Re:Is there a cure? by bitt3n · 2006-07-12 02:32 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Is there a way to cut the levels of this enzyme?
  yes! I have developed a brand new, never seen before cure for this affliction. I bet you want some now, don't you?
  
  --
  how many pairs of boxer shorts should you own?
Life would be great if... by BluePariah · 2006-07-12 02:13 · Score: 5, Funny

you had neophilia and amnesia at the same time. Imagine the pleasure of discovering your new right hand every 20 seconds.
Hmmmm, been there, done that. by tgd · 2006-07-12 02:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Apparently, some of us have elevated levels of a cellular enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, and are more in need of stimulation from new things.

I keep telling my girlfriend that, but she just won't go for it.
Hmmm by MrSquirrel · 2006-07-12 02:13 · Score: 4, Funny

I have a strange urge to possess a gadget that can measure the level of this "gadget disease" in people.

--
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
1. Re:Hmmm by MrSquirrel · 2006-07-12 03:30 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  *sarcasm detector explodes*
  
  --
  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
ADD of the new millennium by milamber3 · 2006-07-12 02:14 · Score: 4, Insightful

Before it was, tell all the parents their child has ADD/ADHD and that's why he/she wont sit still or pay attention in class. Now doctors will be saying that the kids need all this new stuff and throw temper tantrums because of their genetically elevated monoamine oxidase A and not that they are spoiled/greedy/etc.
1. Re:ADD of the new millennium by rtobyr · 2006-07-12 02:16 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Perhaps it works the other way around. Children who are spoiled and greedy DEVELOP elevated levels of monoamine oxidase A as a result.
2. Re:ADD of the new millennium by milamber3 · 2006-07-12 02:29 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Very possible, I could see constantly exposing a developing brain to every new (toy, gadget, thing) might cause changes similar to that seen in drug addicts. There would be elevated MAO to get rid of the excess dopamine which was being released and then when the stimulation of new toys was cut off a resulting excessive down regulation of dopamine would cause some type of withdraw symptoms. This is somewhat of a strech, just as being addicted to video games and the internet is a strech, still its plausable.
3. Re:ADD of the new millennium by ObsessiveMathsFreak · 2006-07-12 02:58 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Whatever the reason, they're going to need lots and lots of very expensive, and very patented anti-monoamine oxidase A to make them fit in at school.
  
  --
  May the Maths Be with you!
Implications go beyond gadgets by rtobyr · 2006-07-12 02:14 · 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.
Opposite by ch-chuck · 2006-07-12 02:15 · Score: 5, Funny

I guess the opposite would be retrophilia - the love of buying other people's junk off eBay, while dreaming of hitting the jackpot on Antiques Roadshow, or browsing antique shops while dreaming of making a fortune on eBay.

--
try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
Grow out of it by Anonymous Coward · 2006-07-12 02:18 · 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 eln · 2006-07-12 02:32 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Yes, I found that once I grew up and actually had to pay for my own gadgets, my desire for said gadgets declined steeply.
2. Re:Grow out of it by 93,000 · 2006-07-12 02:50 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I have the same feelings, and I think it's mainly a matter of realizing the whole 'perceived reward vs. actual reward'. I used to always long for gadgets, etc, just KNOWING that they would make my life great and imagining how cool/happy/satisfied I'd be if I only had one. Whatever the item is, no matter how great, it's never what I build it up to be in my head. The high of having this new shiny thing wears off in about a day -- the credit card balance sticks around quite a bit longer to rub it in.
  
  After having this happen a time or four, I've started really questioning what a product will bring me. For example, I've been really wanting to get an iPod to replace my $15 diskman that plays mp3 cds.
  
  The Perception: said iPod would be new and shinny and cute and hip and hold 20,000 songs and I'd have it with me all the time and it would vastly improve my life.
  
  The Reality: I'd only wear it to mow my fucking lawn, just like I do now with the diskman.
  
  I think I just saved about $300.
  
  --
  Sweet informative mod.
Not a flaw, a feature, really by Bullfish · 2006-07-12 02:26 · Score: 3, Insightful

This is a good thing and is part of all of our natures. Without it, we would never have left the caves, invented the spiky club, fire, beer or the refrigerator (in which you keep your beer).
Need a new thread by dbdweeb · 2006-07-12 02:36 · Score: 5, Funny

This thread is old and boring now... I need a new, more interesting topic.
So they finally did it... by Lumpy · 2006-07-12 02:36 · Score: 4, Funny

They gave a new name to the "OOOH SHINEY!" syndrome that every geek has.

I'm all for it as long as they come up with a disability program that helps us. You know, add's an additional $50,000.00 a year to your income for supporting the shiney habit or offering an insurance card that allows us to buy the items with a $20.00 co-pay to offset the costs of collecting new shiney objects with blinking lights.

Although I can see it now... "Im sorry sir but you have already bought a HD-DVD player this month on your plan, you will have to wait until next month. you can buy a new CD changer or GPS though with your monthly allowance."

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
You know, if you were a real geek... by porkchop_d_clown · 2006-07-12 02:49 · Score: 4, Informative

this would be old news.

I mean, "neophilia" has been in the jargon file since, what, 1973?

--
Clear, Dark Skies