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Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:04 am
by BigBallinStalin
Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:06 am
by TheProwler
Is being poor bad? Because my addictions always seem to cost a lot...

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:13 am
by TA1LGUNN3R
I've got this tough addiction to food that really puts a drain on my budget.

-TG

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:19 am
by Dukasaur
Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:37 am
by TheProwler
Dukasaur wrote:Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.


It seems that you have defined "self-improvement" as being the only thing that is not "bad".

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:54 am
by warmonger1981
Sticking with the two listed above. Does a religious belief play a roll in this equation and if one does what religion? If so I would say yes for most situations. If religion doesn't play a roll in this equation then it probabl wouldn't make much difference.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:14 am
by nietzsche
Being addicted means surrendering your power to something else, so yes.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:44 am
by crispybits
warmonger1981 wrote:Sticking with the two listed above. Does a religious belief play a roll in this equation and if one does what religion? If so I would say yes for most situations. If religion doesn't play a roll in this equation then it probabl wouldn't make much difference.


Image

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:59 am
by mrswdk
Dukasaur wrote:Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.


Perhaps, in relation to addiction, the opportunity for self-improvement comes from one's addiction helping them clearly identify destructive behavior and instilling in themselves a strong emotional desire to live a more positive and industrious life.

Even experiences which are widely labelled as 'bad' contain the opportunity for learning, and therefore self-improvement.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 6:42 pm
by warmonger1981
Is the pope addicted to religion? Is it ok to smoke weed or cigs of your Christian?

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:24 pm
by Army of GOD
Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:43 pm
by mrswdk
Army of GOD wrote:I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year


So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:46 pm
by Army of GOD
mrswdk wrote:
Army of GOD wrote:I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year


So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?


Then I say you're an idiot for two reasons: 1. that number does not include off-topic and usergroup posts (the real number is 29591 posts) and 2. that number implies only 2.6 posts a day which is hardly addiction worthy (if you've read any of my posts you would realize that they never contain any content, so 2.6 means nothing).

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:50 pm
by mrswdk
Army of GOD wrote:I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year (unless it's CC)


Heh. It's only 2.6 a day. I could quit any time!

Textbook case.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:51 pm
by Army of GOD
mrswdk wrote:
Army of GOD wrote:I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year (unless it's CC)


Heh. It's only 2.6 a day. I could quit any time!

Textbook case.


Ok, mr. smarty pants, let's have a competition. Neither of us are allowed to post ever again. First one that cracks, loses.


Ready, go.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:54 pm
by Ray Rider
Army of GOD wrote:
mrswdk wrote:
Army of GOD wrote:I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year


So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?


Then I say you're an idiot for two reasons: 1. that number does not include off-topic and usergroup posts (the real number is 29591 posts) and 2. that number implies only 2.6 posts a day which is hardly addiction worthy (if you've read any of my posts you would realize that they never contain any content, so 2.6 means nothing[/size][/b]).

He admits it!! jk

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:04 pm
by mrswdk
I lose. Mrs. Smarty Pants is comfortable with his natural urges.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:56 pm
by Army of GOD
I win.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:21 pm
by BigBallinStalin
TA1LGUNN3R wrote:I've got this tough addiction to food that really puts a drain on my budget.

-TG


If I could not eat any food and still live healthily, that would be greeeattt.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:22 pm
by BigBallinStalin
Army of GOD wrote:Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.



When's the last time you drank? How long have you been without alcohol--after drinking 'regularly'?

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:28 pm
by Lootifer
BigBallinStalin wrote:Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

I generally think of irrational behaviour as being objectively bad. And addiction is generally irrational (in terms of the obvious destructive addictions like gambling, alcohol, heroin, etc - being addicted to being awesome is ok).

Sure there's probably some exceptions I can't think of right now, but at a high level that's my view.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:30 pm
by Metsfanmax
Lootifer wrote:
BigBallinStalin wrote:Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

I generally think of irrational behaviour as being objectively bad. And addiction is generally irrational (in terms of the obvious destructive addictions like gambling, alcohol, heroin, etc - being addicted to being awesome is ok).

Sure there's probably some exceptions I can't think of right now, but at a high level that's my view.


Love?

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:41 pm
by Timminz
It depends on your definition of "bad".

I would suggest that it varies depending on personal preferences.

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:44 pm
by muy_thaiguy
I have a bad hankering for caffeine products, but otherwise, nothing really. Though my post count on here may suggest otherwise (post numbers are still off).

Re: Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

PostPosted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:27 am
by Army of GOD
BigBallinStalin wrote:
Army of GOD wrote:Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.



When's the last time you drank? How long have you been without alcohol--after drinking 'regularly'?


I usually (95% of the time) drink once a week, 95% of those times either on a Friday or Saturday (today [aka right now] being one of the 5% of non-weekend nights). I know I can go fucking forever without drinking though...(remember before 2012 when I made fun of people who drank?).