--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first cause of waste is probably even…" description: "\"The first cause of waste is probably even buried in our DNA. Human beings have a need for maintaining consistency of the apperceptive mass. What does t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/dan-phillips-24013_become_the-first-cause-of-waste-is-probably-eve_1413124.jpg" --- # The first cause of waste is probably even buried in our… ![“The first cause of waste is probably even buried in our DNA. Human beings have a need for maintaining consistency of the apperceptive mass. What does that mean? What it means is, for every perception we have, it needs to tally with the one like it before, or we don't have continuity, and we become…” quote by Dan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/dan-phillips-24013_become_the-first-cause-of-waste-is-probably-eve_1413124.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/dan-phillips-24013_become_the-first-cause-of-waste-is-probably-eve_1413124.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/dan-phillips-24013_become_the-first-cause-of-waste-is-probably-eve_1413124.jpg) > “The first cause of waste is probably even buried in our DNA. Human beings have a need for maintaining consistency of the apperceptive mass. What does that mean? What it means is, for every perception we have, it needs to tally with the one like it before, or we don't have continuity, and we become a little bit disoriented.” [Dan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-phillips/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans are wired to maintain perceptual consistency, causing wasteful habits when new information conflicts with existing mental models. **In simple terms:** We repeat patterns to keep our view of the world stable, even if inefficient. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before acting. Themes psychology behavior consistency Mood analytical critical Type psychological practical When to use this quote - decision making - learning new skills - organizational change Key Concepts cognitive bias habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What habits could you change by challenging your mental models? - How does consistency affect innovation? A Different Perspective It may overgeneralize biological determinism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consistency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consistency/) [Continuity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continuity/) [Dna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dna/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) ## Related quotes > [“Aw, what a waste. And here you’re probably the one person who could take him – since he can’t get in your head to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/aw-what-a-waste-and-here-you-re-probably-the-one-person-who-could/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [Our job is to make change. 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