the downfall of basic instincts.

[FictionJunction]

I believe it is quite ironic that human beings have acquired a tendency to parttake in activities that do any sort of harm to their minds and bodies, as well as their reputations.
The main excuse anyone would give me is: "the pros of <insert harmful activity here> outwheigh the cons."
However, seeing how it is our most basic and primitive instinct to act in accordance to our survival, it really would not make any sense to engage in any activity that would harm us in any way even if it had any 'pros.'
Normally, organisms that are bound to instict (human beings are still bound to instinct..despite their obvious segregation from it) wouldn't hurt themselves in any way possible. However, it seems human beings do.
I'll use sex to briefly explain instinctual needs/cravings.
The need/want/craving for sex is natural, and the fact that it is a pleasurable activity only enforces that. We continuously search for things we enjoy, and once we find them we will attach to them.
Now, allow me to replace sex for smoking. (No, I'm not against smoking. In fact, I parttake in the activity.) The main reason we smoke is because we enjoy doing it. The same applies to all activities we decide to take part in: we have something we want from them, and acquireing this 'something' will give us pleasure. You work to get money: having this money will make you feel good because you can use it to sustain yourself and purchase other things that you need or would enjoy. But, smoking gives us lung cancer as a side-dish to the pleasure we gain from parttaking in this activity. If we were truly to be reigned by our instincts, we wouldn't smoke. But, alas, we do.
Although this isn't a thorough explanation of what instincts are, and how we function in accordance to them.. this is merely a question. I always thought it was curious how we all enjoy doing things that harm us.
Indeed.