Why do we focus on the inconsequential things?

Have you ever wondered why humans so often focus on some inconsequential thing, and let the big things slide.

Several years ago I had a lunch meeting, and after the business matters were resolved, the guy told me he had recently purchased a new vehicle. He pointed to it out the window, and it was a very nice looking automobile. He then proceeded to tell me his biggest regret in purchasing it, was he did not purchase the optional large display turning and brake light package for the rear of the vehicle.

When he first mentioned it, I thought that’s cool, but the conversation took an interesting...