I saw a quote that says people will always gravitate towards the path of least resistance. This means that in every situation, humans will follow the easiest route. This means that most of our choices are not necessarily what is best, what is true, or what aligns with purpose or the common good, but mostly the easiest route. I thought and asked myself, "Why?" The human brain is not configured to help you make the best decision; it makes the safest and the most familiar choices, with the end goal being getting pleasure or avoiding pain. It’s a biological hardwiring. The brain chooses what is efficient. How to achieve the most results with as little effort as possible. That is why it is easier for habits to form through pleasurable activities than difficult ones. The path of least resistance is always the safe option, not always the best, not even always the most rewarding. Our mind is programmed to keep us from harm's way and discomfort.
Taking the path of least resistance is the source of almost all human vices, and that is the motivation for corrupt practices. Taking the path of least resistance naturally leads to corruption and societal decay. A society like what we have today prioritizes pleasure, comfort, entertainment, an easy life, etc. That is the goal of technological innovations – consistent pursuit of creating the path of least resistance for people to adopt as a normal way of life. Today’s society tends towards making the human mind and body idle and impotent.
I have been thinking about this and the many situations where it shows up in how we live our lives. The first is indiscipline, because that is what it is. Taking the path of least resistance every time. Also, a friend once told me that everyone knows what to do to improve their lives, but they are just too lazy to do it. This also is because humans take the path of least resistance always. It is why we relapse to addictions even when we muster a strong determination not to go back. Personal development is difficult; putting effort in relationships is an inconvenience; building your mind with reading and your body with exercise is very hard and tiring; emotional intelligence in relationships takes effort, but impulsive reactions take nothing from you. Scrolling TikTok videos all day or reading books, watching movies or taking courses, gambling with your money or investing it, eating junk or eating healthy – humans will always choose the easy route. And this also applies to relationships too. People are afraid to have difficult conversations, would rather hold malice than reconcile, would rather stay offended than apologize, and would rather choose fleeting feelings over critical examination of personality and purpose in choosing a partner. Lasting relationships are usually maintained by people who consistently resist emotional laziness. For every easy route choice you make, there is a tough route version of it that will exponentially make you a better person. Always taking the path of least resistance invariably leads to mediocrity and complacency.
The thing about the path of least resistance is that more often than not, it doesn’t guarantee durable benefits. The gains are usually temporary and ephemeral. Our society, unfortunately, is making pleasure and comfort too easily accessible, which, hitherto, used to be accessible through defined efforts. Access to sexual pleasure used to be gotten after building a relationship with the opposite sex and getting married. Now it’s available within 3-5 clicks on any device. Junk food, gambling, corruption, etc. If a society makes a vice easily accessible than a noble pursuit, society will naturally follow that path of least resistance. In Nigeria, corruption is more rewarding than truthfulness, promiscuity, entertainment Outright foolishness is celebrated, even financially rewarded more and quicker than academic excellence or a business pursuit. No wonder our society follows that path. Societies where people follow order, act honestly, and are law-abiding aren’t occupied by angels. They are just societies that have developed a culture of discouraging vices through very stringent and stern measures and abundantly encouraging good morals, virtues, and law-abiding behaviors. Humans again will naturally gravitate toward the path of least resistance.
An important thing to note about taking the path of least resistance every time is that there are things that have no path of least resistance in life. The only way to do them successfully is the hard, tough route. E.g., academics, marriage, military, parenting, etc. What society today does now is either reduce the standard of entrance or compliance or totally make them optional and avoidable. For example, artificial intelligence has greatly reduced the need for academic diligence; better results can be achieved academically with the aid of artificial intelligence. There are also narratives today encouraging people to not get married or have kids because it is stressful and financially costly.
You should always question every choice you make, whether you are really choosing what is best for you or merely taking the path of least resistance. The only way out is going all in; the only way to success is going through the tough situations. There is no shortcut to greatness, and the lesson here is that you shouldn’t look for one.