Re:Aldous Huxley Predicts Adderall
by walletdrainer on Wednesday November 19, 2025 @05:11AM
(#45977814)
> For mindless tasks, like long-haul driving, where staying awake is pretty much all that's required ? Sure
This currently describes most tasks humans do.
I certainly won’t go and suggest that taking stimulants for long-haul driving is a good idea, unless of course you’re in a war zone and lives depend on it. But stimulants do improve performance in these tasks for the vast majority of people. While the side effects probably aren’t worth it for the society as a whole, they probably are on an individual level for e.g. a cab driver who is able to work more hours and pay his rent. That’s of course not a desirable state of affairs, but it is real.
A software developer grinding out a boring project could also greatly benefit, while being much less risky than the cabbie on stimulants.
In the end I believe there are many people without ADHD living in situations where Adderall could meaningfully improve their lives, making it easier to grind through hours of mindless work. Someone living paycheck to paycheck could pick up a few extra hours and significantly improve their financial situation and overall wellbeing.
Should anyone take Adderall in the hopes that it’ll make them smarter? No.
This currently describes most tasks humans do.
I certainly won’t go and suggest that taking stimulants for long-haul driving is a good idea, unless of course you’re in a war zone and lives depend on it. But stimulants do improve performance in these tasks for the vast majority of people. While the side effects probably aren’t worth it for the society as a whole, they probably are on an individual level for e.g. a cab driver who is able to work more hours and pay his rent. That’s of course not a desirable state of affairs, but it is real.
A software developer grinding out a boring project could also greatly benefit, while being much less risky than the cabbie on stimulants.
In the end I believe there are many people without ADHD living in situations where Adderall could meaningfully improve their lives, making it easier to grind through hours of mindless work. Someone living paycheck to paycheck could pick up a few extra hours and significantly improve their financial situation and overall wellbeing.
Should anyone take Adderall in the hopes that it’ll make them smarter? No.