The rise of "dopamine sites": fake food delivery and shopping apps that satisfy cravings without spending a cent

[Daniel Sims]

WTF?! PCs and smartphones have given rise to many ways to kill boredom, such as games, social media, messaging, and emojis. The latest viral digital activity involves simulating everyday tasks, such as ordering food or taking a smoke break, without actually eating or smoking anything.

Young people, particularly in South Korea, have begun visiting so-called "dopamine sites" for the same reason people doomscroll on phones. The trend might be the latest expression of an online culture increasingly centered around instant gratification.

According to the Korean outlet Hankook Ilbo, one person uses a fake food delivery service to momentarily zone out and satisfy late-night cravings without actually eating anything or spending money.

Simply mimicking the act of scrolling through a menu, dropping something into a shopping cart, and tapping the "place order" button is enough to elicit the sense of satisfaction that comes with ordering takeout.

X user @malheeelife built a similar site in May using ChatGPT. The mobile site is only available in Korean, but it features multiple items with star ratings, a shopping cart, and other features one might expect when using DoorDash or Grubhub.

FakeEats, an app with a similar purpose that is available in English, appeared on mobile platforms around the same time. Branding itself as a wellness company that fights cravings, the service even includes reward levels and an AI-generated press kit.

A Redditor also floated the idea of starting a more general fake shopping site last year. If it ever progresses beyond the concept stage, justbuynothing.com might include a clearance section, rewards, and games for earning fake money. Users can try it now by activating developer mode in Chrome.

Another site allows users to pretend they are taking a smoke break with other people without actually smoking or physically being around anyone. The site displays an image of a cigarette, a "start" button, and messages from other logged-in users, creating the feeling of an online break room.

However, the main appeal isn't conversation but rather knowing that others are there. One user claims it helps relieve loneliness while working or studying.

Jungwon University professor Kim Heon-sik theorizes that the trend satisfies an online-native generation's need for constant stimulation. It can also help reassure people living in uncertain times by simulating everyday activities without the physical or financial demands of performing them in real life.

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The rise of "dopamine sites": fake food delivery and shopping apps that satisfy cravings without spending a cent

 

[OortCloud]

The internet seems to be turning human being into increasingly artificial creatures living in some strange lonely dystopian virtual fever dream. Makes me so glad to have grown up in the 80s!

 

[SRB]

The human race is doomed.

 

[Hexic]

So, instead of doing the mature adult thing of fixing your lack of dopamine by using social experiences or healthy hobbies - it’s acceptable to fall even deeper into the rabbit hole, clicking buttons that… do literally nothing.

We’re doomed.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

“ the main appeal isn't conversation but rather knowing that others are there”

Lurking with other lurkers in an online corner isn’t “being there.”

I feel bad for how much the younger generation has been broken that something like this is what they consider companionship and belonging.

 

[Lowhangingfruit]

I'm just annoyed I didn't come up with this idea first. It's so obvious! They're going to make millions!

 

[Endymio]

So, instead of doing the mature adult thing of fixing your lack of dopamine by using social experiences or healthy hobbies - it’s acceptable to fall even deeper into the rabbit hole, clicking buttons that… do literally nothing.

We’re doomed.

It's ironic you say this, when, in the final analysis, this app is no different from 95% of the videogames out there, from "The Sims" like simulators to vicarious-experience virtual realities like Counterstrike and Grand Theft Auto.

 

[Axeia]

It's ironic you say this, when, in the final analysis, this app is no different from 95% of the videogames out there, from "The Sims" like simulators to vicarious-experience virtual realities like Counterstrike and Grand Theft Auto.

Those typically require some form of thinking and planning and refining the process so you get good at it.
The dopamine comes from putting your skills to the test.

You could argue for those with a fake reward system etc they have some of that (assuming you get a limited budget a day or something) but holy moly that's about as boring a way as I could imagine keeping myself busy. I've played some utterly boring games that I'd rate above that (I'm looking at you "Invincible Presents: Eve" - I regret even claiming that as a free game).

Games tend to have a gameplay loop a lil bit more interesting then browse, add to basket, place fake order. Unless you want to speed run things to see who can order a fake order a fake burger the fastest I don't see any of that coming into play here.

 

[Gars]

So sad

 

[toooooot]

You will own nothing and be happy.

 

[Hexic]

It's ironic you say this, when, in the final analysis, this app is no different from 95% of the videogames out there, from "The Sims" like simulators to vicarious-experience virtual realities like Counterstrike and Grand Theft Auto.

Similar, but different.

The intent & the actual, real reward system (comparatively) outside of the dopamine rush itself (which all listed activities claim to have) are the key differentiators here.

You’ve hit that next, new level of useless with these apps.

 

[Endymio]

The intent & the actual, real reward system (comparatively) outside of the dopamine rush itself (which all listed activities claim to have) are the key differentiators here.

That's an impressive word salad, but it doesn't change reality. Whatever videogame you're playing you're still "pressing buttons that do nothing" for a dopamine rush. There is no "actual real" reward.

 

[Hexic]

That's an impressive word salad, but it doesn't change reality. Whatever videogame you're playing you're still "pressing buttons that do nothing" for a dopamine rush. There is no "actual real" reward.

When comparing actual ordering on Amazon & receiving a real product, versus the non-existent reward you get from this new “fake ordering” app - the difference is reality itself.

Same logic for playing video games. Would anyone play a video game these days, without a sense of progression? New armor, weapon, upgrades, new maps, whatever that happens to be. No, they wouldn’t.

No such word salad when you’re comparing something (video games, actual Amazon ordering, etc.) to a fake app, intentionally built to have zero returns outside of dopamine.

They are similar, but in no world are they identical.

 

[Endymio]

When comparing actual ordering on Amazon & receiving a real product, versus the non-existent reward you get from this new “fake ordering” app - the difference is reality itself.

Same logic for playing video games. Would anyone play a video game these days, without a sense of progression? New armor, weapon, upgrades, new maps...

Was that a joke, or do you believe those new "armor, weapons, and upgrades" actually do exist in the real world?

BTW, if you read the article, you'll see this app includes "reward points", so you can progress in it just as you do in your Counterstrike-fests.

 

[Hexic]

Was that a joke, or do you believe those new "armor, weapons, and upgrades" actually do exist in the real world?

BTW, had you read this article, you'd see this app includes "reward points", so you can progress in it just as you do in your Counterstrike-fests.

You’re still comparing apples to hand grenades. Whatever, dude.

 

[RaXelliX]

Ah. This seems familiar. I do the same thing. Only without checkout and with PC parts. I believe it's called window shopping. Making wish lists and theoretical builds is fun. Even with absurdly expensive server hardware. Also, this has nothing to do with the current state of the industry. I did this way back when already.