4 ms·

Interesting. But Devil's Advocate here. Is this good news? This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effe

Interesting. But Devil's Advocate here. Is this good news? This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effectiveness of the thought process) but what to think about; what's most important, or not. Not to get a tin foil hat-y, but it easy to see a darkside to this, as well as there being those who would seek to exploit it. But for therapeutic applications it sounds hopeful.

Mordisquitos 5y ago
> This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effectiveness of the thought process) but what to think about; what's most important, or not. Consider that most people who are diagnosed with ADHD (especially if it was in adulthood) are well aware on the metacognitive level that they should think in terms of the benefits of work and its importance, and they do want to. Their problem is a difficulty to actively decide to think in those terms when it truly matters, in practical day-to-day life. So stimulants do indeed change how they think, improving the effectiveness of their desired thought process.
- chiefalchemist 5y ago
  I'm not referencing this application. I'm questioning the new series of meds that enables "have more empathy" or "have less empathy" and so on. And if combined with other nudge-y influences, then what? This is great for ADHD and such but perhaps we're within spitting of distance of things less benign?
Ancapistani 5y ago
> This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effectiveness of the thought process) but what to think about; what's most important, or not. FWIW, this is a fairly accurate description of my experience with ADHD. It’s not that I have trouble focusing; quite the opposite, I can focus for hours on the smallest detail. The problem is that without medication I don’t get to choose what that detail _is_. I could end up (and _have_ ended up) spending countless hours on inconsequential stuff because I can’t get it off my mind otherwise while I watch my life fall apart around me, unable to do a thing about it.

Mordisquitos 5y ago

> This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effectiveness of the thought process) but what to think about; what's most important, or not. Consider that most people who are diagnosed with ADHD (especially if it was in adulthood) are well aware on the metacognitive level that they should think in terms of the benefits of work and its importance, and they do want to. Their problem is a difficulty to actively decide to think in those terms when it truly matters, in practical day-to-day life. So stimulants do indeed change how they think, improving the effectiveness of their desired thought process.

chiefalchemist 5y ago
I'm not referencing this application. I'm questioning the new series of meds that enables "have more empathy" or "have less empathy" and so on. And if combined with other nudge-y influences, then what? This is great for ADHD and such but perhaps we're within spitting of distance of things less benign?

Ancapistani 5y ago

> This study seems to say that these drugs don't change how you think (i.e., somehow improving the effectiveness of the thought process) but what to think about; what's most important, or not. FWIW, this is a fairly accurate description of my experience with ADHD. It’s not that I have trouble focusing; quite the opposite, I can focus for hours on the smallest detail. The problem is that without medication I don’t get to choose what that detail _is_. I could end up (and _have_ ended up) spending countless hours on inconsequential stuff because I can’t get it off my mind otherwise while I watch my life fall apart around me, unable to do a thing about it.