4 ms·

This figure provided is wholly anecdotal and pretty much worthless if not to bring the topic in question. However, it sure is concerning that many consider abus

by 0x_rs 5y ago

This figure provided is wholly anecdotal and pretty much worthless if not to bring the topic in question. However, it sure is concerning that many consider abusing prescription drugs with possibly severe, long lasting side effects to attempt to improve studying effectiveness (or because of self diagnosed ADHD and the likes..). It may become another drug epidemic, if it's not too late already. Misinformation and dubious claims from people on the internets don't help when the most afflicted group is students trying to improve their grades and performance, desperately at times too.

itsoktocry 5y ago
>This figure provided is wholly anecdotal and pretty much worthless How else would you propose answering the question, besides asking people? Election polling is also "anecdotal".
- potatoman22 5y ago
  I think if we knew more about the sample size and data collection process this could be less anecdotal
- ZeroGravitas 5y ago
  Election polling is not anecdotal. There's a range of things you need to do to turn asking people into data successfully.
- geofft 5y ago
  This is like saying that HTTPS is just security by obscurity because you have to keep the private key secret. The distinction between anecdotes and data is whether you gather the information in a structured and reliable way. I would, in all seriousness, recommend a high school statistics textbook if this is new to you. There's a whole bunch of interesting stuff, including how you don't need a very large sample size to be able to draw conclusions from the data, but you do need to ask your questions in a rigorous way.
- 6gvONxR4sf7o 5y ago
  Turns out there are a variety of ways to ask people. There’s a whole area of study around it because it’s so hard to get right.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
tomtimtall 5y ago
> However, it sure is concerning that many consider abusing prescription drugs with possibly severe, long lasting side effects to attempt to improve studying effectiveness Not getting through an education and being saddled with a heavy student debt without a well paying job is an extremely severe, extremely long lasting and quite horrible at times life destroying side effect of not doing everything the two people next to you the first day of class are to get by. Also it’s much more likely if you ascribe to the typical “look to your left, look to your right” speech. I think it’s unfair putting the blame on the individual when objectively looking at the two alternatives presented to them has the one you want them not to follow being the objectively better. It’s like arguing that Arnold Schwarzenegger never should have done steroids. I got through my studies without any drugs, but had you offered the opportunity to those in my starting class who flunked out, one now homeless and struggling with alcoholism incapable, I am certain they would chose it. And had you that first day given me the opportunity, I likely would have taken it just to reduce risk.
- 0x_rs 5y ago
  That's absolutely true. Academia and education in general is a nonforgiving environment for many people, requires many sacrifices to get through (more in some countries than others) and is generally socially expected to participate in for a "worthwhile" career in life. Needless to say, it's unfortunate that some need — or believe they need — to self-administer drugs in general. The main, root issue has not been addressed in years. I suppose some more people getting ill or developing issues won't change that.
  - chii 5y ago
    > root issue has not been addressed in years what is this root cause? Are you saying that people should not compete?

by 0x_rs 5y ago

itsoktocry 5y ago

>This figure provided is wholly anecdotal and pretty much worthless How else would you propose answering the question, besides asking people? Election polling is also "anecdotal".

potatoman22 5y ago
I think if we knew more about the sample size and data collection process this could be less anecdotal
ZeroGravitas 5y ago
Election polling is not anecdotal. There's a range of things you need to do to turn asking people into data successfully.
geofft 5y ago
This is like saying that HTTPS is just security by obscurity because you have to keep the private key secret. The distinction between anecdotes and data is whether you gather the information in a structured and reliable way. I would, in all seriousness, recommend a high school statistics textbook if this is new to you. There's a whole bunch of interesting stuff, including how you don't need a very large sample size to be able to draw conclusions from the data, but you do need to ask your questions in a rigorous way.
6gvONxR4sf7o 5y ago
Turns out there are a variety of ways to ask people. There’s a whole area of study around it because it’s so hard to get right.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

tomtimtall 5y ago

> However, it sure is concerning that many consider abusing prescription drugs with possibly severe, long lasting side effects to attempt to improve studying effectiveness Not getting through an education and being saddled with a heavy student debt without a well paying job is an extremely severe, extremely long lasting and quite horrible at times life destroying side effect of not doing everything the two people next to you the first day of class are to get by. Also it’s much more likely if you ascribe to the typical “look to your left, look to your right” speech. I think it’s unfair putting the blame on the individual when objectively looking at the two alternatives presented to them has the one you want them not to follow being the objectively better. It’s like arguing that Arnold Schwarzenegger never should have done steroids. I got through my studies without any drugs, but had you offered the opportunity to those in my starting class who flunked out, one now homeless and struggling with alcoholism incapable, I am certain they would chose it. And had you that first day given me the opportunity, I likely would have taken it just to reduce risk.

0x_rs 5y ago
That's absolutely true. Academia and education in general is a nonforgiving environment for many people, requires many sacrifices to get through (more in some countries than others) and is generally socially expected to participate in for a "worthwhile" career in life. Needless to say, it's unfortunate that some need — or believe they need — to self-administer drugs in general. The main, root issue has not been addressed in years. I suppose some more people getting ill or developing issues won't change that.
- chii 5y ago
  > root issue has not been addressed in years what is this root cause? Are you saying that people should not compete?