Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough
4.5 | 1,706 ratings
Price: 15.75
Last update: 01-06-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Nils AkermanMichael Easter is Indiana Jones ... BrilliantMichael Easter is like the Indiana Jones of the science and self-improvement world – part scientist, part adventurer, and with a professor's endless curiosity. How cool is that, right? When I dive into these pages, I feel the honesty in the wisdom he shares and how to actually apply it in our lives. He went all over the place, from Iraq to Montana, the Amazon, and even a monastery in Mexico City, all to understand this concept called the scarcity loop and how it shapes our world today. He has lived his editor's advice of just going straight to the source for answers and real-life experiences.
The book's format is right on, starting with the theory of the scarcity loop and then hitting us with relatable, interesting, and exciting examples to learn from. Michael's writing style lands home with me – honest, direct, and useful. This book is a brilliant read, and you better believe I'm putting some of these ideas into practice to tackle my own scarcity loop, starting with raising awareness. Thank you, Mr. Easter … Comfort Crisis and now Scarcity Brain … keep crushing. - J. E. GrumlingA Real Page Turner! I Couldn't Put It Down!The author really understands the subject, and wrote a book that actually is a great example of how to create cravings. Easy to understand and short chapters, "cliffhanger" style chapter endings and lots of anecdotes to drive the point across.
Serously though, we all have our struggles with limits. Our modern lives of plenty usually leave us in a self-inflicted state of frustration and often unhealthy. Acknowledgment is the first step to undoing the damage, and this book really shows how the fundamental drives of humans (indeed, all animals) are exploited by other humans for gain. But he does so in a way that isn't accusatory, just a statement of fact. Also, he makes sure to remind readers that the overwhelming majority of humans are certainly not degereate gamblers or addicts, and that even simple changes to one's enviroment can often eliminate addictive habits.
My guess is if this book becomes a best seller it will be required reading for managers and leaders, some of whom might actually take away some useful information. And a few people may actually alter thier lives in some small way that lets them break the addiction cycle. I read this book because I have an ongoing struggle with sugar (as many Americans), and hope to slay that dragon once and for all. Already I have become aware of many habits and behaviors that are easily changed to reach my goals. - Elizabeth ZuritaWhat a Journey!From Baghdad to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery! How can these two very opposite ends be related ! Well, you have to read the book. What a journey. Data driven, laughter, tears and challenging concepts make up the is amazing read. A book to keep and re read every year for certain. Thanks for putting so much of yourself in creating a map to help us become better and happier humans. As I read the last sentences my eye teared up. It was like saying goodby to a good friend who has been teaching me, coaching me and opening my mind to new better things for the last few weeks. Amazing!
- J. SmithDelivers Perspective and WisdomI enjoyed reading this book quite a bit. I found it to be both informative and inspiring. It’s different than what I expected. the research, the quests, and the great story-telling all came together for me to create an experience that I looked forward to enjoying at the close of my day for the past week or so. I’ll definitely be checking out more of what Michael Easter has written.
- Michael E. MartinA Fresh Perspective on WellbeingWhenever I read a book with the intention of learning something new, I know that I won’t remember many details. So, I use post-its to bookmark those pages and paragraphs that have information I want to be sure to remember. Then, when I’m finished reading the book, I go back through the bookmarks and write short summaries of the information. Writing notes helps retention, and the added benefit is that I can go back to my notes at any time for a quick refresher.
Well, for Scarcity Brain I had 30 bookmarks. The book is well researched both from an academic and personal experience perspectives. Michael Easter went from combat zones to jungles to a monastery to learn about modern cravings and how some people manage to control them while others unknowingly let them control their time and behavior. Perhaps most importantly, I got lots of simple to apply ideas to help me achieve greater wellbeing.
The book is well written with a nice balance of interesting facts and insights, including a bit of dry humor added to remind the reader that living a good and personally rewarding life isn’t a non-stop serious pursuit.
This book is a great gift for someone who would benefit from looking at themselves from a new perspective. Perhaps that is you. - John Jenningsgood book but lack of references/footnotes is bothersomeI liked this book. Well-written, good stories, and good points. But there are no footnotes or references. As someone who likes to dig in and learn more about what authors write, I was put off by this. And is it even ethical not to cite your sources???