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LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

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Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#81

Post by schmittz »

kstenerud wrote: post #66

There is a theory that the connection between the right and left hemisphere of the human brain has been diminishing over generations (The ancients used to audibly hear the voice of the gods, which was likely the right hemisphere, but that ability diminished around 4-5000 years ago). I wonder if all these psychadelic drugs are doing is enhancing the communication between right and left, or perhaps suppressing the left…

That's actually a very interesting biological question that I've never thought of before. It would be nice if the US would loosen its restrictions on testing of Schedule I drugs so that this could be studied more concretely with modern fMRI and so forth. (You'd think they'd be more understanding with LSD, they did run a program for 5 years where they unwittingly dosed people with the drug to no realized detriment...)

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#82

Post by jbooth »

diadem wrote: post #46
5l wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you know? Have you solved every problem there is to solve? And of all the problems you have solved, have you done so in the most elegant and efficient way possible?

If I haven't solved every problem there is to solve, is my assertion less true? Is your argument "There are problems in software engineering that can only be solved by dropping acid?" The best programmers in the world -- those who work together to solve the most complex and aggressive problems asked of the human mind -- are those who come to work every day, solve problems, and write code, and go home. They don't spen…

The concept of "getting an edge" is so not what we're talking about here.. not quite the opposite but the attitude of wanting to get an edge is the exact opposite.

It's about wanting to know more and to expand your horizons for their own sake. Look at some of the "best programmers in the world". Lots of crazy beards in that group, right?

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#83

Post by oggz »

antidaily wrote: post #32
jasonmcalacanis wrote: post #26

Steve Jobs admits to taking LSD. I rest my case.

"one of the two or three most important things [he had] done in [his] life". source: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-17/tech/steve.jobs.life_1_ap...

Would anyone like to speculate what the other thing or two is?

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#84

Post by bluedanieru »

diadem wrote: post #46
5l wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you know? Have you solved every problem there is to solve? And of all the problems you have solved, have you done so in the most elegant and efficient way possible?

If I haven't solved every problem there is to solve, is my assertion less true? Is your argument "There are problems in software engineering that can only be solved by dropping acid?" The best programmers in the world -- those who work together to solve the most complex and aggressive problems asked of the human mind -- are those who come to work every day, solve problems, and write code, and go home. They don't spen…

>If I haven't solved every problem there is to solve, is my assertion less true?

Either that or you've discovered some property of 'complex' problems that precludes the use of LSD to solve them. Otherwise, yes, it is less true (i.e. baseless and false).

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#85

Post by yid »

joelhooks wrote: post #42
parfe wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd be interested in seeing any scans you might have.

I'm a little hesitant, but it is hanging here on the wall so: http://i.imgur.com/mhg4c.jpg This was an 8 hour marathon of oil pastel madness. I was in my tiny apartment with 6-8 friends and literally spent the entire time engrossed in this thing. The background was the technique that I could never get back. This was a series of this basic type of drawing I did. There were 4 and this one I like the most. Gave one away…

Wow! Those are amazing by any standard. In fact, is selling an option?

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#86

Post by ghotli »

yid wrote: post #33
joelhooks wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have several drawings and paintings that I did under the influence that still amaze me today. I could never reproduce the techniques or forms. There were many times that I wouldn't spend the entire duration drawing/painting, but I had several marathon creation sessions under the influence of LSD. We would always make sure to have plenty of supplies. Art or otherwise. Pen and paper was probably the most difficult. T…

I would also be interested in seeing scans. LSD has been a wonderful experience for me, undertaken roughly once a year, but with beneficial and creative effects that last much longer. I think the OP missed the point-- LSD isn't Aderall, it isn't something that makes you push out more. Rather, it can unlock doors that were perhaps holding you back.

Or perhaps it can open doors that will end up holding you back. There are people who are legitimate acid casualties. I know a guy who now has social anxiety so bad that he rarely leaves his house. This was most certainly not the case before he indulged in copious amounts of LSD and Psilocybin.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#87

Post by samlevine »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #19
diadem wrote: post #13

If you need to take psychedelics to 'unlock the wonders of your mind' or whatever just to do some simple programming, software may not be the field for you.

Do you drink coffee or tea?

I don't know about you, but I've never imagined myself talking to god while drinking tea.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#88

Post by BasDirks »

tomlin wrote: post #36
nandemo wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference is that amphetamines, though potentially addictive and dangerous, can actually help you do math or programming. I'm skeptical that people can code better (if at all) while on LSD.

I have ADD and am a coder. I am on Concerta (methylphenidate, a derivative of methamphetamine) and find that my interest in math, as well as programming, has increased significantly.

I can confirm this. Concerta increases my performance, but I actually need it to function day-to-day. My ADD was only noticed at age 20 because despite suffering badly from it, I kicked ass in school. When I first took Concerta it was one giant ball of what the f*ck: was this vast quiet possible?

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#89

Post by ghotli »

tomlin wrote: post #72
daeken wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note: Methylphenidate is not actually an amphetamine derivative, although it's similar in structure and function.

Yes, it is a derivative of methamphetamine. Adderall (amphetamine) and Concerta both are used to treat ADD.

If we're getting technical it's merely in the same family as methamphetamine. Meth causes a _much_ larger dopamine response which among other reasons is why people find it awesome and addictive.

Re: LSD: The Geek's Wonder Drug

#90

Post by daralthus »

kstenerud wrote: post #66

There is a theory that the connection between the right and left hemisphere of the human brain has been diminishing over generations (The ancients used to audibly hear the voice of the gods, which was likely the right hemisphere, but that ability diminished around 4-5000 years ago). I wonder if all these psychadelic drugs are doing is enhancing the communication between right and left, or perhaps suppressing the left…

I tought exactly that, when I watched Jill Bolte Taylor's Ted talk.[1] She tells her experience of getting stroke in her left brain, and many things were very similar to some of my psychedelic experiences.

[1] http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke...

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