The casino
Social · scrolling · the news loop
- Pays in chips
- Dopamine peak
- Crash, and the baseline drops
Every investment here is a vote for someone who escapes and scatters
0 invested
RelationScreens
The mind exchange
The dopamine economy
Through technology, we raise awareness of the hidden prices we pay for depending on it.
Each morning you get a budget of life coins. Invest them in the casino, in growth or in presence, and watch what each choice does to your dopamine. After seven days, see who you voted to become.
Based on the work of Dr. Anna Lembke and Dr. Andrew Huberman.
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Brain · dopamine monitor
The dopamine meter
Steady
- Dopamine now
- 42
- Baseline
- 42
- Tolerance
- 0%
- Dopamine
- Pain (Lembke's seesaw, the mirror of dopamine)
- Baseline (your resting mood)
- Below the baseline: the pain tax
How to play
Every morning you get a budget of life coins (time × mental energy). You can't save it for tomorrow. Where will you invest it?
- The casino pays in chips. A dopamine peak, then a crash below the baseline, and the baseline itself drops.
- Chips come from the casino and go nowhere but back into it. They throw the dopamine meter around.
- Growth pays in XP, then extra life coins tomorrow (compound interest). Steady dopamine, no baseline lift.
- Real estate pays in hearts and mental health. It lifts the baseline itself.
- Watch the dopamine meter. The face is happier the higher dopamine goes, and worried below the baseline.
- Life coins50
- Chips0
- XP · skills0
- Hearts · presence0
- Mental health50
Your verdict
Wise investor
- Skills (XP)
- 0
- Hearts
- 0
- Mental health
- 0
- Life portfolio value
- 0
Life portfolio value = XP + hearts × 10 + mental health
Investments
Every coin you invest is a vote for who you'll become.
Drag life coins to any channel, or use its invest button. Left today: 50
Chips go to the casino: drag them there, or use its spend button. They throw the dopamine meter around: a peak, then a crash. You hold: 0
Invest per move
Growth stocks
Learning · music · fitness · making things
- XP, then life coins tomorrow
- Compound interest
- Steady dopamine, baseline unchanged
Every investment here is a vote for someone who grows and learns
0 invested
Real estate · presence
A deep talk · a child · nature · a sunset
- Hearts · satisfaction
- Mental health
- Raises the baseline
Every investment here is a vote for someone who is present and loves
0 invested
The ability shop
Spend XP from growth on lasting life assets.
-
I finished my tasks for today+5 life coins every morning
-
I learned to play the guitarGrowth yields +50% XP
-
I learned something newReal estate lifts the baseline 50% more, and the casino has limits
Sources
- Based on the chapter “The wise investor in time” from my book, How to become a ScreenSaver, in writing.
- The pleasure-pain balance: Dr. Anna Lembke, Dopamine Nation.
- Dopamine peaks and baselines: Dr. Andrew Huberman, Huberman Lab, episode 39, “Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction” (2021).
- Identity votes: James Clear, Atomic Habits.