I was going to write an intro just but then like, I didn’t feel like it, y’know?
I was going to write an intro just but then like, I didn’t feel like it, y’know?

Hey couch potatoes, Julian here for DNews.
Hey couch potatoes, Julian here for DNews.

Recently we got a viewer question from presumable dark wizard Voltrius asking if there was a
Recently we got a viewer question from presumable dark wizard Voltrius asking if there was a

specific reason why people are lazy.
specific reason why people are lazy.

He said he was looking for an excuse next time someone leveled that accusation at him.
He said he was looking for an excuse next time someone leveled that accusation at him.

Well I have great news, Voltrius.
Well I have great news, Voltrius.

Turns out being lazy is a huge evolutionary advantage.
Turns out being lazy is a huge evolutionary advantage.

Oh sure, “society” may not approve of laziness.
Oh sure, “society” may not approve of laziness.

Inactive and unmotivated people are looked down upon, while driven workers are held in
Inactive and unmotivated people are looked down upon, while driven workers are held in

high esteem.
high esteem.

But have you ever considered the benefits of being lazy?
But have you ever considered the benefits of being lazy?

It turns out lazy is a derogatory word for efficient.
It turns out lazy is a derogatory word for efficient.

When we think lazy, we picture people laying on their couch, but laziness stems from a
When we think lazy, we picture people laying on their couch, but laziness stems from a

desire to be energy efficient.
desire to be energy efficient.

Evolution programs us to save energy, not expend it for no reason.
Evolution programs us to save energy, not expend it for no reason.

So, to some degree, all people have laziness built into their behavior.
So, to some degree, all people have laziness built into their behavior.

At least that’s what Max Donelan of Simon Fraser University is proposing.
At least that’s what Max Donelan of Simon Fraser University is proposing.

He and other researchers designed an experiment where they had participants walk with a robotic
He and other researchers designed an experiment where they had participants walk with a robotic

exoskeleton on their legs.
exoskeleton on their legs.

If they walked normally, the researchers penalized them by making it harder for them to move
If they walked normally, the researchers penalized them by making it harder for them to move

their knees.
their knees.

If they wanted to save some effort, they needed to get lazy, and adjust how they walked.
If they wanted to save some effort, they needed to get lazy, and adjust how they walked.

That’s a remarkable idea when you think about it.
That’s a remarkable idea when you think about it.

Up to this point, these participants had taken millions and millions of steps over their
Up to this point, these participants had taken millions and millions of steps over their

lifetime and had done them all the same way.
lifetime and had done them all the same way.

Would they really change the way they walked to save a bit of effort?
Would they really change the way they walked to save a bit of effort?

It turns out, they absolutely would.
It turns out, they absolutely would.

Within minutes, they had adjusted their gait even though walking normally would only cost
Within minutes, they had adjusted their gait even though walking normally would only cost

them just 5% more energy.
them just 5% more energy.

So, yes, you are hard wired to be lazy.
So, yes, you are hard wired to be lazy.

If we follow the cliche, necessity is the mother of invention, then laziness is invention’s
If we follow the cliche, necessity is the mother of invention, then laziness is invention’s

dad.
dad.

Sure human beings invented clothes because we needed to stay warm.
Sure human beings invented clothes because we needed to stay warm.

But we certainly don’t need smartphones.
But we certainly don’t need smartphones.

And yet someone who needed money invented them and got rich because we are lazy enough
And yet someone who needed money invented them and got rich because we are lazy enough

to think it’d be kind of nice to watch a youtube video when our portable computers
to think it’d be kind of nice to watch a youtube video when our portable computers

that already fit on our laps are all the way across the room.
that already fit on our laps are all the way across the room.

The problem with laziness is it’s short sighted.
The problem with laziness is it’s short sighted.

SittinGIFg around and not exercising feels great for the moment.
SittinGIFg around and not exercising feels great for the moment.

Heart attacks and strokes 40 years later do not.
Heart attacks and strokes 40 years later do not.

Driving somewhere is much faster and easier than walking.
Driving somewhere is much faster and easier than walking.

And because of that we have automobile accidents and contribute to climate change.
And because of that we have automobile accidents and contribute to climate change.

Like anything, Voltrius, there’s a happy medium.
Like anything, Voltrius, there’s a happy medium.

Yes, you are wired to be lazy.
Yes, you are wired to be lazy.

And yes, being lazy demonstrates how clever you are.
And yes, being lazy demonstrates how clever you are.

But if you’re really clever, you’ll know when it’s time to get off your backside
But if you’re really clever, you’ll know when it’s time to get off your backside

and do work.
and do work.

Speaking of smartphones, it looks like they could feed your laziness too.
Speaking of smartphones, it looks like they could feed your laziness too.

Trace explains here.
Trace explains here.

So with the benefits and costs of laziness in mind, what’s your stance on lazy people?
So with the benefits and costs of laziness in mind, what’s your stance on lazy people?

Do they infuriate you?
Do they infuriate you?

Or are you a member of their noble ranks?
Or are you a member of their noble ranks?

Let us know in the comments or on facebook or twitter, subscribe for more and I’ll
Let us know in the comments or on facebook or twitter, subscribe for more and I’ll

see you next time on DNews.
see you next time on DNews.