Interestingly, the rat park experiments have been reinterpreted. I am not an expert, but I believe one acceptable interpretation is that rats with a sense of connection and socialization don't press the levers as much.

We are all lotus eaters - it is defined to be "the things I think makes others soft or vulnerable". The author's value of austerity comes across to me like Mother Teresa's belief that suffering is noble and brings you closer to god. I don't share that belief, but certainly have my own lotus behaviors.