You delete Instagram to break the doom scrolling habit. Automatic behaviors still control you. You grab your phone, swipe up, and tap the same screen location. Except now it opens your banking app instead. You're staring at your account balance, wondering why. Your brain executed the pattern before you thought about it.

Two out of three things you do are completely automatic. Your brain fires before you become conscious of the thought. Fish argues this is efficiency, not slavery. Your brain consumes a fifth of your entire energy budget, so it automates to survive. In Muay Thai, you don't think how to throw a punch, only when. Hockey players don't think about skating mechanics. The automation allows skill mastery while burning fewer calories. But some researchers claim this proves we don't have free will. We just respond to stimuli and automate the responses. The debate: is pre-firing intuition helping you survive, or proof you're not actually deciding?

Mindfulness can override automated reflexes, but only if you recognize the habit exists first. The willpower to break one behavior frees resources to build a new one. Your phone shuffle button idea might actually work.

Topics: automatic behaviors, doom scrolling addiction, habit formation, brain efficiency, free will neuroscience

GUEST: Greg Fish | cyberpunksurvivalguide.com

Originally aired on 2026-01-28

You delete Instagram to break the doom scrolling habit. Automatic behaviors still control you. You grab your phone, swipe up, and tap the same screen location. Except now it opens your banking app instead. You're staring at your account balance, wondering why. Your brain executed the pattern before you thought about it.
Two out of three things you do are completely automatic. Your brain fires before you become conscious of the thought. Fish argues this is efficiency, not slavery. Your brain consumes a fifth of your entire energy budget, so it automates to survive. In Muay Thai, you don't think how to throw a punch, only when. Hockey players don't think about skating mechanics. The automation allows skill mastery while burning fewer calories. But some researchers claim this proves we don't have free will. We just respond to stimuli and automate the responses. The debate: is pre-firing intuition helping you survive, or proof you're not actually deciding?
Mindfulness can override automated reflexes, but only if you recognize the habit exists first. The willpower to break one behavior frees resources to build a new one. Your phone shuffle button idea might actually work.
Topics: automatic behaviors, doom scrolling addiction, habit formation, brain efficiency, free will neuroscience
GUEST:&nbsp;Greg Fish | cyberpunksurvivalguide.com
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-28

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.