The article
“Living on Impulse” written for the New
York Times by Benedict Carey, discusses
the implications, reasons, and effects of impulsive behavior for different
types of people. The article suggests, with proof from scientific experiments
conducted on mice, that the brain, more specifically the prefrontal cortical
areas of the brain, plays a major role in an individual’s impulsiveness. The
article further contemplates the difference between two hypothetical
individuals, in which how one is able to “flirt with regular heroin or cocaine
use while finishing an Ivy League degree,” and why the other dies trying. The
article suggests that the urges people have, and the “brakes” that people can
or cannot apply play a major role in one’s ability to control their Impulses.
The article says that, “people who can binge, gamble or try hard drugs and get
away with it have a native cunning when it comes to risk,” Such people know how
to take risks that bring them the most benefit or pleasure, they know how to
take risks without bringing harm to themselves. To accomplish this, they are
prepared for the dangers of taking the risks, they are aware that something can
go wrong and take precautions accordingly, the article suggests that such
people “have goals and are resourceful in pursuing them." Finally, the
article also touches upon the fact that each individual is impulsive in his or
her own way, it suggests that one’s personal experiences and history can shape
one’s impulsiveness. The article does not portray risk-taking as a bad habit or
a mental disorder; it hints that risk-taking is a good and beneficial habit if
one knows how to be prepared to accomplish the task, and when to stop if the
venture seems futile or too dangerous.
Personally, I was completely trapped
in the words of this article. Not only because they meant so much to me
personally because they made me understand a bit more about why I am they way I
am, but also because it was an extremely well written article that kept up a
pattern of suggesting a question to the reader and following it up with an
answer. The flow of the article really helped keep my concentration on the
words written by the author. The author also consistently backs every claim
with either a quote from a credible individual or research from an institute
which the author makes sure to name. The author also puts in a concession into
the argument by clearly saying that impulsive behavior was thought to be an
extremely negative trait in society, but then continues with an even stronger
argument in which he states that such misconceptions are now theories of old
thanks to all the new scientific development done by researchers in the field
of impulsive behavior. Towards the end of the article, the author puts in
several statements from different people in which they briefly explain their
situation and how they relate to the topic of impulsive behavior.
The article also helped me greatly
understand a few things about risk taking which I was previously unaware of.
For example, only after I read in the article that one’s history and personal
experiences play a great role in determining the areas of life that an
individual is comfortable in taking risks and acting impulsively did I realize
that this statement is also true for me. All the experiences I have been
through and all of the events in my life have made me who I am today, because
of this I am comfortable taking risks in all the area I do take risks. Also,
despite the fact that I already knew that the brain and its several functions
play an immense role in an individual’s risk-taking behavior, I now know it’s a
particular hormone that’s acts upon a particular region of the brain that
influences impulsiveness. Although I do not know what I am going to do with
that particular piece of information, I am still intrigued by it. But now I
know to be more careful with my risk taking. I cannot blindly step into a
situation without assessing it. I have to think, and I have to be wise with the
risks I take. I have to take a moment to breathe and think of the consequences
of all my actions, if I am to take successful risks, before I take them. I do
not think that this will be me changing the way I am, because honestly I rather
be no one else but the way I am now, but I do think it will be another step for
me to becoming more wise and successful in my risk-taking, which can never be a
bad thing. I think it is now time for me to start taking risks on a newer
level, by this I do not mean bigger risks, I mean smarter risks more likely to
be in my favor.
830 Words
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