4 comments

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  Mr. Gunn

  1 year ago

  You know, I think the article discussing modafinil was a little over-enthusiastic. It's more suited for people who have to say alert and watchful for long periods of time, rather than people who need to make better decisions. It would help night watchmen or troops on combat missions more than it would help a scientist or software developer. Johann took an over-the-top sensationalistic approach to his article, and probably has ended up hurting the overall discussion.
  
  Modafinil won't make you smarter, it won't improve your memory, and it won't raise your IQ. All it does is keep the need for sleep at bay for a little while. If he had such a huge effect, he was probably sleep-deprived during his use. If you read other accounts, they don't speak in such glowing terms.
  
  Not to mention that there are apparently safer, cheaper, and easier-to-get things available. If you'd like to know more, I recommend Smart Drugs and Nutrients.
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  Taylor

  1 year ago

  I'm not at all an expert on these types of "Smart Drugs," but what you say makes sense. I think many of us are consistently overworked and sleep-deprived, so I can see how some sort of pill that increased alertness would make someone feel smarter. I also imagine there's an enormous placebo effect to taking these things: "here's a drug that's supposed to make me smarter....oh my god, I finished a book in one sitting...I AM smarter!"
  
  For what it's worth, I don't plan on taking any kind of pill to make me smarter, and I'm honestly a bit worried about these things gaining in popularity--particularly if that means people are purchasing shady pharmaceuticals from overseas online. I'm admittedly completely new to this subject (it sounds like you, Mr. Gunn, know more about it), but my gut reaction is wariness and fear of abuse.
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  Mr. Gunn

  1 year ago

  Yeah, I worry about abuse too, and accounts like his are basically encouraging abuse. Some senator's kid is going to get his hands on some, stay up for 2 weeks, go absolutely crazy and kill someone or himself, and we'll have some media hysteria and shiny new reactionary laws prohibiting anything vaguely resembling the stuff.
  
  Congrats, Johann, you just set research on intelligence back 20 years. I personally think the time has come for seriously looking into whether or not the functioning of our brains can be augmented, but it's not going to happen by tabloid columnists and bloggers ordering random shit over the internet and writing about how it made them feel.
  
  Seriously now, there are some safe and sane things you can do, today, to help keep your mind young and maybe even to boost your memory or motivation a little. I encourage everyone to at least read about the topic, so they can form an educated opinion.
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  Taylor

  1 year ago

  I completely agree, and I will certainly look into this topic further. It sure would be nice to have intelligent debate about these types of augmentations (if they're legitimate) that moves past idiots who are trying to get good grades without effort, secure a better job without merit, etc. Thanks for your comments!
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