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The addreall comment blew me away too. When did smart people start taking PEDs? My guess is that software development is a field where it is more common for fo
by mmcgaha 6y ago
The addreall comment blew me away too. When did smart people start taking PEDs?
My guess is that software development is a field where it is more common for folks with the ADHD hyperfocus to excel, but if there is a problem brewing it should be addressed.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- jacques_chester 6y ago> When did smart people start taking PEDs? When did ill people start taking antibiotics? > My guess is that software development is a field where it is more common for folks with the ADHD hyperfocus to excel Your guess isn't quite right. Hyperfocus is not something that can be turned on and off, and the subject of hyperfocus is not chosen at will. It's a symptom that demonstrates that "attention deficit" is an unfortunate misnomer. The problem in ADHD is not a lack of attention, it is reduced ability to govern attention.
- rightbyte 6y ago>> When did smart people start taking PEDs? > When did ill people start taking antibiotics? It is kinda implied that it is PED abuse right? Not medication.
- jodrellblank 6y agoSince at least Paul Erdos. More recently, one of LessWrong’s favourite topics is nootropics for intelligence enhancement. Less recently, Terence McKenna’s critique of caffeine and the industrial revolution and the concept of a “tea break” to give tired workers stimulating caffeine to boost productivity, and how easily that became the norm instead of a siesta or a marijuana break or knocking off early for the day.
- pavel_lishin 6y agoBeing smart doesn't make you immune to medical conditions. But yes, there is also an issue with abusing these things. I don't know anyone who does this anymore, but I also don't work in a particularly fast-paced environment, nor do most of my friends.