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Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

arstechnica.com

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Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#121

Post by nyc_data_geek1 »

twiceaday wrote: post #109
genezeta wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The discs had -in the movie- the memories of another person, and you would experience that memory and sensations as if you were living it. So, e.g. someone would record themselves doing something risky and you would get the adrenaline rush from watching it. So... Maybe in some way one could argue that social media gives some sort of connection were you get some feelings from what others are doing/showing. I mean, tec…

Sounds like Brain Dances (BDs) from Cyberpunk 2077.

Yes, which originally came from Cyberpunk, the first sourcebook for which was released in 1988, with Cyberpunk 2020 releasing in 1990 complete with the idea for pre-recorded replayable memories/full sensory experience, ie:Braindance.

Strange Days was released in 1995.

Maximum Mike was, and is, a prophet right alongside Gibson.

edit: Although almost certainly this wasn't the first place people imagined being able to record and playback memories.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#122

Post by MarcelOlsz »

mmooss wrote: post #113
_qbxi wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First-time home owners have increased in age[0], the middle class is shrinking[1], education costs have vastly outpaced inflation[2] as have medical costs[3]. Perhaps the generalized fear is not so much about "coddling", but concrete realities. I do not envy them. [0] https://www.axios.com/2023/11/20/american-housing-market-old... [1] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/04/20/how-the-a... [2] https://www.usn…

Also the insane political risks and social instability, climate change, heightened risks of war and econmomic calamity, housing cost increase.

All I want in life is a good union for software. Role finished this week, who needs me next week? Off I go.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#123

Post by ahartmetz »

twiceaday wrote: post #109
genezeta wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The discs had -in the movie- the memories of another person, and you would experience that memory and sensations as if you were living it. So, e.g. someone would record themselves doing something risky and you would get the adrenaline rush from watching it. So... Maybe in some way one could argue that social media gives some sort of connection were you get some feelings from what others are doing/showing. I mean, tec…

Sounds like Brain Dances (BDs) from Cyberpunk 2077.

Simstim from Neuromancer (released in 1984) is the first mention of such a thing that I know of.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#124

Post by sundvor »

LorenzoGood wrote: post #102
oortoo wrote: post #18

Another aspect here I think is the generalized fear and anxiety present in young people. Having spoken to some family members in the 15-18 age bracket, the message they seem to be receiving is that they are without a future... they won't be buying homes, they won't be getting high paying jobs, and that the system is not going to work in their favor. I think people of this age are uniquely feeling mortal and vulnerabl…

As a person in that age bracket, I don't feel like my peers and I are lacking in opportunities to participate in drug & alcohol use. As to why I choose to abstain, I honestly am just not interested in drinking or doing drugs. I don't see any benefit to it socially, since I have more fun with my friends doing things while they are sober, and I don't want to be one of those adults that can't socialize without it. Also,…

I'm very pleased to see this sentiment, as a father of a 14 year old boy. 4 years ago I decided to quit alcohol altogether (from a moderate by Australian standards consumption), and I hope to be a positive influence on him through his formative years through open and honest conversations about the topic.

(He has no desire to start drinking etc early or at all at this point.)

Long term health impacts are high, as someone in my 50s I'm certainly doing better for my choice. And yes, not making stupid decisions under influence also cannot be underestimated.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#125

Post by wahern »

genezeta wrote: post #76
achairapart wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Suddenly I remember this movie from the 90s where people drugged themself with some kind of minidisc. “Strange Days”, maybe? Anyhow, I always found the plot weird, but maybe they actually were onto something…

The discs had -in the movie- the memories of another person, and you would experience that memory and sensations as if you were living it. So, e.g. someone would record themselves doing something risky and you would get the adrenaline rush from watching it. So... Maybe in some way one could argue that social media gives some sort of connection were you get some feelings from what others are doing/showing. I mean, tec…

> Maybe in some way one could argue that social media gives some sort of connection were you get some feelings from what others are doing/showing. I mean, technologically it's quite a leap

That technology exists; it's called empathy, and the extremely powerful form of it innate to humans is arguably our singularly defining characteristic. It's our tech moat, so to speak.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#126

Post by cute_boi »

zingababba wrote: post #79
jimmar wrote: post #38

My pet theory is that buying drugs requires a level of personal interaction that many young people now avoid.

It's insanely easy to buy drugs online.

But someone has to tell that link and I am sure peer pressure can be one of the major reason for addiction.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#127

Post by cute_boi »

gardenhedge wrote: post #61
munk-a wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Weight will increase as you get older if you consume a constant amount of calories. Your metabolism slows with age (and generally entering the job market means a much more sedentary life style for most white collar workers).

So you adjust your calories

Easy to say difficult to do. Most people have family, work, 100's of tensions etc.. Reducing calories might not be that much of priority.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#128

Post by HPsquared »

vouaobrasil wrote: post #6

I wonder if the new drug of choice is actually technology. In some ways I think that the addiction to technology has some similar mellowing effects as drugs. Some research indicates that smartphone addiction is also related to low self-esteem and avoidant attachment [1] and that smartphones can become an object of attachment [2]. The replacement of drugs by technology is not surprising as it significantly strengthens…

Opiate of the masses (21st Century version)

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#129

Post by nemo44x »

Isn’t this good? We’ve literally told teenagers to not use drugs or have sex for decades and it’s obviously working. The consequences are far higher today or at least more well understood and the messaging is getting through.

We’ve trained younger generations to be extremely risk adverse and they’ve listened. I line they’re probably dangerously exposed to other risks that we don’t have generational knowledge of yet.

Re: Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

#130

Post by HPsquared »

crtified wrote: post #52
oortoo wrote: post #18

Another aspect here I think is the generalized fear and anxiety present in young people. Having spoken to some family members in the 15-18 age bracket, the message they seem to be receiving is that they are without a future... they won't be buying homes, they won't be getting high paying jobs, and that the system is not going to work in their favor. I think people of this age are uniquely feeling mortal and vulnerabl…

I imagine that, for the young people of the world, the Covid years really ripped away the illusion that the adults of the world are in competent control. To a degree that modern generations (from otherwise relatively stable, wealthy countries) have never experienced. While there are other major factors clearly contributing to the generational angst, I think this was the catalyst. I wonder how the economics stack up,…

See also: anyone who lived through the decline and fall of the USSR.
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