5 ms·

What’s the big deal? The definition of ADHD is extremely fuzzy anyway. Why not just let whoever take them that wants them?

SeanAnderson 4y ago
Well, IMO, it puts everyone into a mental arms-race reminiscent of steroid use in bodybuilding competitions. If you told me I was going to take a standardized test where only the top 10% make the cut, and everyone serious about winning is taking a mental PED, then yeah I am going to feel intrinsic pressure to step-up and also engage in that mental arms race. I would've been just as happy to not do that if I were given a more level playing field. It's no secret that there is a war going on to commoditize attention. I want to live in a world where people hone their ability to push back against having their attention leeched not one where everyone raises their baseline to cope temporarily. I also have to think that, long term, it's kind of disrespectful to those with ADHD. If expectations of attention rise due to uptake in mental PEDs then where does that leave those who were originally disadvantaged? They lose their ability to exist on a more level playing field. Bit of a tangent, but many years ago when I was wrapping up college, I was in a Calc III class over summer. The course was being taught at an advanced pace and basically everyone in the class was struggling after the first exam. The professor addressed the class about the poor performance and then called out a student in the front row. The professor said, "You! You did well on the exam. What was your secret to studying?" and, not missing a beat, the student responded, "Adderall!" I took the hint, bought some from a friend, and suddenly found myself passing the class with flying colors. It felt good in the moment, but honestly only because I wasn't being graded on a curve. It would've been wildly demoralizing if I'd been in direct competition with my peers. I know life isn't fair and it's a pipedream to clamber on about desiring a level playing field, but surely we can agree that physical fitness competitions are more interesting when they are separated between "natty" and "enhanced" competitors? And that if we eliminated that separation that those without PEDs are disadvantaged? I don't see society making that sort of separation for mental fitness and so I am concerned about letting stimulants loose on the population.
- NotPractical 4y ago
  > I am concerned about letting stimulants loose on the population. They already have been. It's not hard at all to get an Adderall prescription. Just Google "ADHD symptoms" (the main one being trouble focusing) then go to your doctor and tell them you have those.
- A7C3D5 4y ago
  What is "disrespectful to people with adhd" is fucking with our med supply in order to prevent the horrific scenario of someone studying for a math test past their bedtime. Like, surely you see that right? I want to move on with my life, instead I need to play games every couple weeks filling my prescribed meds because people are resentful that their peers back in college might have studied longer for a test? Are you fucking kidding me.
  - SeanAnderson 3y ago
    I'm still in recovery from abusing addy off-prescrip. I was citing an experience I had a decade ago which shaped my opinion of stimulants for the rest of my life. I wasn't trying to offend you personally. I was just sharing an opinion. Chill.

SeanAnderson 4y ago

Well, IMO, it puts everyone into a mental arms-race reminiscent of steroid use in bodybuilding competitions. If you told me I was going to take a standardized test where only the top 10% make the cut, and everyone serious about winning is taking a mental PED, then yeah I am going to feel intrinsic pressure to step-up and also engage in that mental arms race. I would've been just as happy to not do that if I were given a more level playing field. It's no secret that there is a war going on to commoditize attention. I want to live in a world where people hone their ability to push back against having their attention leeched not one where everyone raises their baseline to cope temporarily. I also have to think that, long term, it's kind of disrespectful to those with ADHD. If expectations of attention rise due to uptake in mental PEDs then where does that leave those who were originally disadvantaged? They lose their ability to exist on a more level playing field. Bit of a tangent, but many years ago when I was wrapping up college, I was in a Calc III class over summer. The course was being taught at an advanced pace and basically everyone in the class was struggling after the first exam. The professor addressed the class about the poor performance and then called out a student in the front row. The professor said, "You! You did well on the exam. What was your secret to studying?" and, not missing a beat, the student responded, "Adderall!" I took the hint, bought some from a friend, and suddenly found myself passing the class with flying colors. It felt good in the moment, but honestly only because I wasn't being graded on a curve. It would've been wildly demoralizing if I'd been in direct competition with my peers. I know life isn't fair and it's a pipedream to clamber on about desiring a level playing field, but surely we can agree that physical fitness competitions are more interesting when they are separated between "natty" and "enhanced" competitors? And that if we eliminated that separation that those without PEDs are disadvantaged? I don't see society making that sort of separation for mental fitness and so I am concerned about letting stimulants loose on the population.

NotPractical 4y ago
> I am concerned about letting stimulants loose on the population. They already have been. It's not hard at all to get an Adderall prescription. Just Google "ADHD symptoms" (the main one being trouble focusing) then go to your doctor and tell them you have those.
A7C3D5 4y ago
What is "disrespectful to people with adhd" is fucking with our med supply in order to prevent the horrific scenario of someone studying for a math test past their bedtime. Like, surely you see that right? I want to move on with my life, instead I need to play games every couple weeks filling my prescribed meds because people are resentful that their peers back in college might have studied longer for a test? Are you fucking kidding me.
- SeanAnderson 3y ago
  I'm still in recovery from abusing addy off-prescrip. I was citing an experience I had a decade ago which shaped my opinion of stimulants for the rest of my life. I wasn't trying to offend you personally. I was just sharing an opinion. Chill.