The Nuclear Weapon of Behavior Modification
As Pavlov noted, "The more immediate and the more intensely pleasurable the reward, the more reinforcing the behavior. And so it is with drugs. Drugs are a nuclear weapon equivalent, used by many, to profit off a natural dynamic that ultimately destroys millions of lives. But what is most unfortunate is that our 'leaders' are so dim witted, they don't have a clue what is actually going on or how to address it. So allow me to explain.
First, it is observed that if you entice a young person into trying a drug like crack, it will have an intensely pleasurable and immediate effect. Nearly all who are seduced to try it will have problems managing their desire to replicate the effect. Society responds by declaring it illegal. The would-be profiteer notes that its lack of availability and the desire to replicate the experience allows for astronomical profits so they pursue their seductions. Because the effects are so strong, as in nuclear weapons to the brain, the illegality is impotent to an addict. The net result is that the illegality combined with the powerful desire to repeat the effect causes astronomically high profit margins, an endless drug war, and millions of casualties.
What is needed is for the state to realize that what is actually going on falls under weapons of mass destruction except that there is a case to be made for drugs that induce intensely pleasurable effects. So perhaps the state should allow licensed 'Dizzyland' types of businesses as the 21st century equivalent of a bar, except that they have in-house medical staff to prevent overdoses. Even though it should be legal in a rationed sort of system, it simply cannot be let off its leash. Intensely pleasurable drugs require intense levels of control.
If such facilities existed, prices could be reduced to a point that black market sales would be suppressed. However, there would need to be a change in penalties for black market sales. In fact, it might be necessary to apply either the death penalty or life in prison for any illegal drug dealing.
If drugs were treated as both the intensely pleasurable and extremely dangerous commodity they are, we can eliminate the millions of casualties that result from the natural desire to scratch that itch. It would be like Odysseus lashing himself to the mast as he passed the Sirens. We don't have to keep losing millions of kids to the rocks. We can be smart about it. If only we could find smart enough 'leaders'.
First, it is observed that if you entice a young person into trying a drug like crack, it will have an intensely pleasurable and immediate effect. Nearly all who are seduced to try it will have problems managing their desire to replicate the effect. Society responds by declaring it illegal. The would-be profiteer notes that its lack of availability and the desire to replicate the experience allows for astronomical profits so they pursue their seductions. Because the effects are so strong, as in nuclear weapons to the brain, the illegality is impotent to an addict. The net result is that the illegality combined with the powerful desire to repeat the effect causes astronomically high profit margins, an endless drug war, and millions of casualties.
What is needed is for the state to realize that what is actually going on falls under weapons of mass destruction except that there is a case to be made for drugs that induce intensely pleasurable effects. So perhaps the state should allow licensed 'Dizzyland' types of businesses as the 21st century equivalent of a bar, except that they have in-house medical staff to prevent overdoses. Even though it should be legal in a rationed sort of system, it simply cannot be let off its leash. Intensely pleasurable drugs require intense levels of control.
If such facilities existed, prices could be reduced to a point that black market sales would be suppressed. However, there would need to be a change in penalties for black market sales. In fact, it might be necessary to apply either the death penalty or life in prison for any illegal drug dealing.
If drugs were treated as both the intensely pleasurable and extremely dangerous commodity they are, we can eliminate the millions of casualties that result from the natural desire to scratch that itch. It would be like Odysseus lashing himself to the mast as he passed the Sirens. We don't have to keep losing millions of kids to the rocks. We can be smart about it. If only we could find smart enough 'leaders'.
Comments
Post a Comment