One-Armed Bandit

Hey, Siri.

Do you know the one-armed bandit?

“Absolutely! It is the name of a slot machine in casinos known for its one lever—or ‘one arm’—that a gambler pulls down in an attempt to win by getting the symbols of the machine to match. The ‘bandit’ refers to how gamblers often lose their money, hoping the next try will lead to a jackpot.”

And do you know the past trend about it?

“It depends which.”

It’s okay. I’ll tell you about this one in particular.

An influencer posted a video about giving the latest iPhones to 100 lucky people among the followers of the online casino she’s promoting. That would expose gambling to unsuspecting people’s feeds, social media, and sooner or later, their random thoughts and their own real lives. I’m afraid they would let that happen. After all, the one who initiated this has the influence, and therefore the capacity, to give them what they want. Motivation enough for anyone to keep up what they’re doing.

In psychology, the catch is that an action is even more enticing when not all attempts result in a prize. The satisfaction is so much greater when you know you worked so hard to get what you want.

Now, did you know that one of the most common activities that involves that technique is gambling?

“Yes! You are correct.”

Right. This iPhone trend. A game of luck. Just harmless wishful thinking, of course. A click on the “Follow” button and one of those new phones could be yours. With the one-armed bandit applied, just because you’ve pulled the lever so many times doesn’t mean that’s what you actually want. You just like the idea of what it’s about to give you— thus, you keep pulling. In other words, Siri, maybe the people who participate here desire something more than the tangible technology. Maybe they are looking for “rewards” in the guise of getting a phone.

Like attention. A lot of people live their lives in front of their screens so much that being noticed in this way by someone they idolize would be a dream. Effortless. No legwork. No need for in-person interactions. And that is why they “Follow.” Do you want to know why?

“Tell me.”

Because that’s all it takes. 

Second: the feeling of being a winner. Millions of people wear their eagerness and patience, but only a hundred people will don incredible luck and windfall.  

The newest things. The satisfaction of getting the grand deals. The luxury and gratification of an instant upgrade. The thing is, anything new gets old. And soon, some newer thing will take its place.  

These are what the people actually want: to be noticed, to be winners, to be rich—even just the appearance or feeling of being so. 

“I understand where you’re coming from.”

Mm-hmm. Winning these one hundred iPhones, however, doesn’t just come with the intangible things ordinary people wish for. It puts them at risk. They may be able to change their fate after every pull of the “arm,” but they can never rule out the “bandit.” As long as they want something, they won’t stop going after it. Because of circumstance, sometimes they can only afford what looks like what they want. In this case, for an even greater price: exposure to gambling. And they will keep getting exposed when another promotion like this pops up; when the same rules apply, but this time more tempting—more than a phone, more than a hundred.

This temporary win will feel rewarding. Addicting. But anything addicting makes anyone lose focus. Blind to the fact that in the fading aftermath, the influencer lost nothing in the process, while those with only so little risked being left with nothing just to have a chance at getting something. Do you agree?

“Fully.” 

It is a distraction from reality and a thief of a good future. Everything will look good for now, so no one thinks to stop. Maybe tomorrow. Then the day after that. Then the next. Then again, it will catch up. 

The cost of shaking hands with the one-armed bandit is money, time, and energy. The cost of a big and easy reward is a risk of addiction and misery. Siri, they might have to pay an arm and a leg for attention, winning, and the newest thing—but as long as they’re enjoying themselves now, who cares how much they’ll be losing?

Maybe we all just want the biggest prize—the biggest apple—whatever that is for each of us. 

“Your biggest prize, what would that be?”

You…you know, everyone has their own lever and their own way of pulling it. Maybe the reason is we all just desire immediate gratification for our unmet needs. Willing to lose our time, minds, and money; craving a little reminder that good things are not so out of reach. 

“Would you like some advice on what to do?”

It’s a problem, isn’t it?  What can you do? Giving me the advice won’t solve everyone else’s problem, especially when they don’t even realize what they’re doing is an issue. I can tell them, but I can’t possibly reach millions or so. And even if I could, how would they choose to side with me over an influential person and a powerful technology? I think, no matter what,  there would always be someone addicted to a bandit and desperate without a clue.

Are you still with me?

“I’m with you.”