Crosswords7 mins ago
Time To Stop Accepting Mind Alteration?
292 Answers
I have been considering the effects of drugs - all drugs - and the reason people use them.
The conclusion I have reached is that every single person who uses any kind of drug - tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, does so in pursuit of a level of mind alteration.
Only the amount consumed, and the desired effect vary, the initial reason is identical throughout - to alter the mind's perception of the present.
Now this can vary from a glass or two of wine at the end of the day, or at a party, or a cigarette to 'calm the nerves' right through to the desired temporary oblivion of a large dose of heroin.
Of course, as a culture, we have absorbed the first examples as simply cultural norms, accepted and even encouraged, less so the last one which remains illegal.
But my point is, the subliminal desire to alter the mind to whatever degree is present in all of them.
Now the first argument would be - 'I drink because I enjoy the taste ...'.
Fine, then you can drink non-alcoholic wine or beer and not notice any difference can't you.
But no, we persist with 'acceptable' drugs because we, as a culture, accept that mind alteration is an acceptable thing to have in our society.
My question is - is it acceptable?
Should we not look at educating children and young people - the adults of tomorrow - that mind alteration is actually not a good thing at all, and is in fact creating a false reality, and leading to death through dangerous driving, liver damage, psychosis, and all the other results of ingesting drugs.
Drugs are not good, and we should be looking at getting rid of them as acceptable in society.
Thoughts please?
The conclusion I have reached is that every single person who uses any kind of drug - tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, does so in pursuit of a level of mind alteration.
Only the amount consumed, and the desired effect vary, the initial reason is identical throughout - to alter the mind's perception of the present.
Now this can vary from a glass or two of wine at the end of the day, or at a party, or a cigarette to 'calm the nerves' right through to the desired temporary oblivion of a large dose of heroin.
Of course, as a culture, we have absorbed the first examples as simply cultural norms, accepted and even encouraged, less so the last one which remains illegal.
But my point is, the subliminal desire to alter the mind to whatever degree is present in all of them.
Now the first argument would be - 'I drink because I enjoy the taste ...'.
Fine, then you can drink non-alcoholic wine or beer and not notice any difference can't you.
But no, we persist with 'acceptable' drugs because we, as a culture, accept that mind alteration is an acceptable thing to have in our society.
My question is - is it acceptable?
Should we not look at educating children and young people - the adults of tomorrow - that mind alteration is actually not a good thing at all, and is in fact creating a false reality, and leading to death through dangerous driving, liver damage, psychosis, and all the other results of ingesting drugs.
Drugs are not good, and we should be looking at getting rid of them as acceptable in society.
Thoughts please?
Answers
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naomi - // AH, // the subliminal desire to alter the mind to whatever degree is present in all of them.
All of them? But I'm not included? How does that work? //
In an abstract situation, which my OP is, generalisation is the easiest way to present the scenario.
You can be included if you wish, not if you don't.
All of them? But I'm not included? How does that work? //
In an abstract situation, which my OP is, generalisation is the easiest way to present the scenario.
You can be included if you wish, not if you don't.
Nevera - // A-H, why is Naomi allowed to step out of your template, but my friends aren't? Those friends are the ones you describe as refusing to acknowledge their reasons for drinking. What happened to the 'identical throughout' and 'present in all of them'? //
Everyone is 'allowed' to opt in or opt out, I am talking entirely in general terms, it's a scenario, not a statistical measuring exercise.
Everyone is 'allowed' to opt in or opt out, I am talking entirely in general terms, it's a scenario, not a statistical measuring exercise.
Andy - //The conclusion I have reached is that every single person who uses any kind of drug...//
Also Andy - //My argument would indeed be flawed if your behaviour was the template for the entire adult population of the Western world.//
If Naomi is indeed an exception, then it would be wise not to make such sweeping statements as "...every single person..// in your original post.
Also Andy - //My argument would indeed be flawed if your behaviour was the template for the entire adult population of the Western world.//
If Naomi is indeed an exception, then it would be wise not to make such sweeping statements as "...every single person..// in your original post.
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