This article draws on a previous discussion regarding the "full circle" phenomenon, which reflects how we often end up creating more issues than we resolve, leading us back to our initial approaches.

The essence of this phenomenon can be summarized as follows:

1. We enhance a product or technology with the intention of improving our lifestyle or capabilities. While this often yields some benefits, we may later find that these enhancements introduce unforeseen challenges absent in the earlier versions.
2. In response to these new challenges, we frequently choose to create additional solutions ("Band-aids") instead of reverting to the original product or rethinking it from a fresh perspective, which promotes consumerism.
3. Ultimately, we discover that these new solutions closely resemble the original product, but often at a higher cost—or worse, they may have critical deficiencies, making us nostalgic for the original despite its flaws.

Consider the evolution of nutrition science and food products. Historically, our ancestors consumed what was locally available, predominantly fresh foods, with minimal processing involved.

As Michael Pollan articulates in In Defense of Food, we have transitioned into an era characterized by "nutritionism." This viewpoint posits that processed foods can rival natural foods in healthiness simply by fortifying them with the right vitamins and minerals synthesized in laboratories.

This shift allowed the food industry to produce cheaper alternatives—like margarine versus butter—while employing scientific methods to add perceived health benefits and remove harmful components. Pollan notes that margarine could constantly redefine its identity based on dietary trends and research, adding nutrients as needed. He states:

> "But of course margarine, being the product not of nature but of human ingenuity, could never be any smarter than the nutritionists dictating its recipe, and the nutritionists turned out to be not nearly as smart as they thought."

The food scientists' approach to solidifying healthy vegetable oils at room temperature through hydrogenation inadvertently created unhealthy trans fats, which are now recognized as more harmful than the saturated fats they aimed to replace.

We have traversed from consuming whole and natural foods to embracing processed varieties, then to processed foods that mimic the nutritional profiles of whole foods. This has sparked a resurgence in organic practices, home gardening, and urban poultry farming—essentially returning us to our roots.

It's crucial to note that innovation itself isn't inherently negative. For instance, many AirPods users probably don’t utilize carrying straps, yet there are already alternatives to mitigate the risk of losing a single AirPod, like Apple’s Find My app.

On the food front, the processing of ingredients and the acceptance of less fresh produce have introduced variety and accessibility (enabling year-round access to tropical fruits), reduced costs, and increased convenience. This efficiency allows us to allocate our time elsewhere—whether for leisure or work—thus enabling us to ascend Maslow’s hierarchy of needs more readily.

Reverting to the original ways of life—growing our own food and cooking all our meals—would be challenging for many of us. The technological and logistical advancements provide us with the flexibility to position ourselves anywhere along the continuum from natural to processed foods. The greatest advantage of innovation is the availability of options—whether that means sticking with traditional wired headphones or choosing modern alternatives like AirPods.

Similar observations can be made in the realm of fitness. Historically, human beings were active outdoors. However, urbanization and technological advancements led to sedentary lifestyles, prompting us to seek fitness solutions that echo our ancestors’ activities—like mountain climbing and wood chopping—now pursued for enjoyment rather than necessity. Although we may relish the idea of such activities, we generally prefer to skip them unless they sound appealing.

We should remain vigilant about the instances where new products, technologies, or lifestyles introduce more complications and costs than they offer freedom. In such cases, the result can be unnecessary complexity and wasted resources. It's often more effective to tackle the root issue.

For example, if a medical professional indicates a vitamin deficiency, one could opt for supplements. Alternatively, one might enhance their diet with a broader range of nutrient-dense foods.

If clutter accumulates, purchasing more storage solutions or renting space might seem tempting. However, decluttering may serve as a more effective remedy.

When faced with a problem, it's wise to avoid a hasty resort to online shopping. Instead, consider how you might eliminate the problem altogether rather than simply addressing it. Assess whether the answer lies in subtraction rather than addition, or if an existing item can resolve the issue. Moreover, seek solutions that can concurrently address other challenges or enhance your overall quality of life.