Recently I've found out why quite a number of students decide to buy research papers. And the reason is procrastination. Something the study left out, that psychologist are aware of, is the fact that people who procrastinate are easily overwhelmed by all the possibilities presented to them, so it's easier to "shut down" and do something non-productive than finish an important project. 
 
Saying that procrastinators simply avoid thinking about their future selves is strange. People can be divided into 3 different sets: Those who live in the past (you know, your grandparents; those good old days), those who live in the present: totally zen, and those who look at the future: planning to die. Procrastination shouldn't be based on any of those options. Procrastinators have a fear of failing (overwhelmed) so they avoid the project (writing a book, painting like a master, etc) and seek out things that give immediate pleasure.