
Originally Posted by
Hiruke
Hello. I'm a mouse! Every day, at feeding time, I'm given two choices:
1) I can try to solve a really difficult maze that I've never seen before. At the end is a button. When I press this button, I get a food pellet. 100% guaranteed!
2) I can press a different button, that also gives me a food pellet. This button is in the same room as me already. I don't have to go anywhere! However, the button doesn't work very well. Maybe 0.01% of the time, it will give me a food pellet. So, I have to push it a lot to make it work!
I always pick option 2! I love mindless, repetitive tasks that give me eventual, marginal rewards. I swell with pride and a sense of real accomplishment every time that food pellet comes out. It's a real challenge, pressing that button!
I hate doing anything difficult. I don't think mice should be rewarded for thinking, or solving mazes, or anything like that. Maybe after they solve the maze 10,000 times, maybe then they could get a reward. I really want them to show how much they are willing to sacrifice to get a food pellet. It will be hollow and meaningless otherwise!