Robert Sapolsky talks about dopamine: It is to drive us toward goals and it has little to do with those moments when we are enjoying our already-achieved goals. Dopamine especially pours out when the reward is uncertain. This fact that a potential reward is not certain, but only “maybe,” highly motivates us.

Makes total sense. For many things, it seems like we are getting most of the pleasure as we are getting ready to acquire the thing, not after we already own it. Perhaps this is a Christmas tale . . .