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LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

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Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#31

I did some LSD about 35 years ago. More than once. For a few days afterward it utterly knackered my ability to write good code, or do anything that required concentrated, logical thinking. Also, I felt like crap (think "bad mental hangover" without the horrible side-effects caused by alcohol). That said, it was a pretty interesting experience. I highly recommend it, just not habitually. Someone (Timothy Leary?) said…

"Do it in the right place, with the right people"

That said, it is pretty tiring...

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#33
post #21

Is it the same six people that keep posting this every 6 to 12 weeks on here? The usual caveats apply: 1. lsd is illegal, so no quality control and no certainty that that is what you are ingesting. 2. lsd was and is a mythological drug in every sense of the word. Nothing you know about it is true either to the good or to the bad. 3. Just because there are 5 decades of propaganda about the evils of lsd does not mean t…

> lsd was and is a mythological drug in every sense of the word. Nothing you know about it is true either to the good or to the bad.

This is false, LSD is the most researched psychedelic of them all and while we're not entirely sure of the mechanics of its actions (nor do we know of any of these kinds of brain mechanics, that's why the prescription of anti-depressants seems to be more of a guessing game than a science), we're definitely sure of a few things that occur.

LSD is not a unicorn.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#34
post #16

Well, I'm still waiting for the fellowship of LSD-fueled Übermenschen to emerge. Until then I'll just try to eat well, exercise more and get enough sleep. That seems to be the key for most elite developers I've encountered.

You are unlikely to see them go public while it is forbidden to do so, but the list of people who used LSD includes some pretty interesting people.

Personally I run on sleep and quietness, but I think I would be able to put cannabis to good use when it becomes legal where I live. I have found that small quantities allow for a greater concentration on the condition that you refrain smoking to much and not drink any alcohol.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#36
Human biology is an extreme hurdle on our way to achieve the unachievable: having to sleep, eat, excrete etc. Are there any tech and drugs being developed to deal with these things? For now I'd be contempt to at least control my sexuality :D

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#37
post #21

Is it the same six people that keep posting this every 6 to 12 weeks on here? The usual caveats apply: 1. lsd is illegal, so no quality control and no certainty that that is what you are ingesting. 2. lsd was and is a mythological drug in every sense of the word. Nothing you know about it is true either to the good or to the bad. 3. Just because there are 5 decades of propaganda about the evils of lsd does not mean t…

LSD is a drug just the same as alcohol and painkillers. There are many irresponsible ways to use it. It is nonetheless something that can be used responsibly.

LSD has many whimsical properties. Many of the things that you see and believe while on the drug have no basis in reality. It can nonetheless change your outlook on the world for the better. It can change the things that you perceive to be valuable in the world, and typically you end up valuing both people and nature more after your experience.

A frequent theme among newbies is "I learned that people are really important, and that I should help them more." Surely this is a good lesson to learn.

"Please trip responsibly."

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#38
So we have Lsd, amphetamine, mescaline, ritalin, provigil as mind drugs. Anyone tried Ritalin or provigil long term?

The army uses amphetamine & provigil during long term flying missing during critical operations. So what is illegal for ordinary citizens is legal for the state.

Side not Steve Jobs tried a lot of drugs in India probably a door opener for his mind as have a lot of brilliant rock artists danger being not over using or wasting your talent.

I do not use drugs personally but I find it an interesting subject.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#39
post #21

Is it the same six people that keep posting this every 6 to 12 weeks on here? The usual caveats apply: 1. lsd is illegal, so no quality control and no certainty that that is what you are ingesting. 2. lsd was and is a mythological drug in every sense of the word. Nothing you know about it is true either to the good or to the bad. 3. Just because there are 5 decades of propaganda about the evils of lsd does not mean t…

> 1. lsd is illegal, so no quality control and no certainty that that is what you are ingesting.

Non sequitur. Its legality has no bearing on quality control or authenticity.

LSD is illegal so you are taking a legal risk.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug? (2006)

#40
post #16

Well, I'm still waiting for the fellowship of LSD-fueled Übermenschen to emerge. Until then I'll just try to eat well, exercise more and get enough sleep. That seems to be the key for most elite developers I've encountered.

If you read "What the Dormouse Said" by John Markoff you could reach the conclusion that a fellowship of LSD-fueled Übermenschen existed during the 60's and 70's and we had the personal computer revolution as a result. And no, I'm not talking just about Steve Jobs and Apple, there were many people involved with the nascent computer industry who turned on, tuned in and dropped out at that time.
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