Amazing. The company builds machines to (potentially and most probably in actuality) throw the election; makes huge contributions to the Bush campaign -- and then... because of "potential" problems, they are willing to pay about --- oh, say --- 1/100 to 1/1000 of what they are apt to gain in the next round of election fixing contracts --- Let's see here. I don't think that this is a terribly encouraging news. I confess that I don't recall the exact words but they were something like We will deliver Ohio to the President. Sound familiar? Having corporations win contracts --- cool. Having a family that hobnobs with Arab Shieks. Really cool! Having a company who makes voting machines in a brace-entwined lip-lock kiss ---priceless!!!
The problem that I have with this whole premise is that there is one "right way" to think/perceive/understand regardless of circumstance. Not true. The notion of "cognitive enhancing drug" presumes that there is one (among hundreds) of cognitive functions which deserver to be enhanced. Reality is more complicated. Sometimes, it is useful to be paranoid. Sometimes, it is useful to be focused. Sometimes, it is useful to be a wild-eyed dreamer. Sometimes, it is necessary to bring together diverse viewpoints. Other times, it is really useful to encourage diversity of viewpoint and thought. The whole meme of A "cognition-enhancing" drug is terrifying because it so misses the reality and complexity of real world problem solving.
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Amazing. The company builds machines to (potentially and most probably in actuality) throw the election; makes huge contributions to the Bush campaign -- and then... because of "potential" problems, they are willing to pay about --- oh, say --- 1/100 to 1/1000 of what they are apt to gain in the next round of election fixing contracts --- Let's see here. I don't think that this is a terribly encouraging news. I confess that I don't recall the exact words but they were something like We will deliver Ohio to the President. Sound familiar? Having corporations win contracts --- cool. Having a family that hobnobs with Arab Shieks. Really cool! Having a company who makes voting machines in a brace-entwined lip-lock kiss ---priceless!!!
The problem that I have with this whole premise is that there is one "right way" to think/perceive/understand regardless of circumstance. Not true. The notion of "cognitive enhancing drug" presumes that there is one (among hundreds) of cognitive functions which deserver to be enhanced. Reality is more complicated. Sometimes, it is useful to be paranoid. Sometimes, it is useful to be focused. Sometimes, it is useful to be a wild-eyed dreamer. Sometimes, it is necessary to bring together diverse viewpoints. Other times, it is really useful to encourage diversity of viewpoint and thought. The whole meme of A "cognition-enhancing" drug is terrifying because it so misses the reality and complexity of real world problem solving.