Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Thu 10th Apr 2008 22:12 UTC
One in five Nature readers -- mostly scientists -- say they up their mental performance with drugs such as Ritalin, Provigil, and Inderal. [...] when asked how they felt about professional thinkers using drugs to enhance their cognitive performance, nearly 80% said it should be allowed. While this report reaches a different part of science, the usage of these drugs can be utilized by software developers alike. What is your opinion on this, somewhat new, development?
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Member since:
2005-07-06
I was giving Ritalin when I was a child... because I am what I am.. namely, hyperactive. The real deal, not one of those "hyperactive" kids, that are just little brats with parents that don't have a clue.
I remember when I was at school, kids who were hyperactive were just seen as kids 'with a lot of spirit' or 'very excitable' - there was never any need to drug up them up to the eye balls with medicine. Good old fashion running around at the park, playing rugby, bull rush and other past times worked all that excess energy out of their system; and we had as much 'additives' and 'sugars' in our foods.
Its (sugar and additives) been shown that time and time again, that these have NO EFFECT on children. It is all about discipline and how the parents act. Heck, I would call myself an incredibly crap parent, but apparently when I look after kids, they are well behaved after them being with me; what do I do? I treat them like little adults. I don't talk to kids in childish language, I give them responsibility, and make them think about what they've done wrong rather than simply the typical politically correct 'time out'.
Yeap, its all about finding what YOU are passionate at. Who gives a shit about what everyone else thinks; do what you are passionate about. You'll find that if you're passionate about something, you'll be happy to put in the long hours without any need to take any drugs.
Then again, it goes back to this *STUPID* idea created by the politically correct that "you can be anything you want" - WRONG! if you don't have the natural ability or inclination towards something, you will suck no matter how hard you work at it. It is delusional thinking that some how a person with an IQ of 100 can ever be a rocket scientist.
People have talents, people have a natural ability in a particular area. Don't create this hocus-pocus bullcrap that some how you can turn someone from an average employee into a manager. I've seen it happen, people who have been in organisations for 10 years, no inclination towards management - being pushed into the position of being a manager! its stupidity in action!
For me, I *KNOW* I suck at maths, and no matter how many hours I spent trying to study it, it never gelled. Now I do know what I am good at - abstract thinking which helps in the areas which I am interested in, Religious Studies and Philosophy.
To some how *THINK* that drug taking is the solution for failing to understand that you don't have talents in that certain area, its pathetic and it lacks commonsense. Know your limitations, know what you're capable of doing, and face that reality - stop trying to a rocket scientist when you abilities are geared towards being a landscaper.
Edited 2008-04-11 05:34 UTC