My view on arts, music and aesthetics in general

[SELFMADE]

These are no more than drugs. They work as drugs in people' brains. So why should they be encouraged or even consumed in the first place? In my view, we need to ban them. Or we should legalize all drugs.

 

[lisab]

So why the crusade against harmless pleasures?

 

[Pagan Harpoon]

If drugs didn't negatively affect people's health and lifestyle, then I don't think anyone would have any problem with them. Art doesn't negatively affect people's health and lifestyle.

I could go on, but I think that is sufficient.

 

[turbo]

Lets's ban all pleasurable things, including sex. That should weed out the prudes within a generation or two, assuming they will honor the ban.

 

[zoobyshoe]

"CRAZY" by Mr. Z Shoe. Pencil on Bristol Board, 14 x17, 2008

 

[S_Happens]

Maybe you could just poke your eyes out, then we wouldn't have to worry about where to "draw the line" on aesthetics.

Fantastic piece Zooby! The irony makes it all the better.

 

[bp_psy]

They work as drugs in people' brains.

Could you provide some peer reviewed references?

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Could you provide some peer reviewed references?

Yeah, I'm really not sure that art and other aesthetic mediums actually cause a drug like reaction in the brain. If the OP could produce a scientific article discussing this idea that may be helpful.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Yeah, I'm really not sure that art and other aesthetic mediums actually cause a drug like reaction in the brain. If the OP could produce a scientific article discussing this idea that may be helpful.

Yeah, I wouldn't listen to him. He got a 50% on his first Calc II exam and then didn't read the syllabus and note that it could have been made up.

 

[Pinu7]

I firmly believe that art is the only reason to live.

 

[GeorginaS]

"CRAZY" by Mr. Z Shoe. Pencil on Bristol Board, 14 x17, 2008

Good heavens are you talented.

As for the OP, I get your point about pleasurable feelings or emotions elicited by art, music, and etc. (again, the 'and etc.' part being the truly important one) are neurotransmitters firing at chemical synapses therefore chemical reactions. Basically. What I don't get is the leap to escalation.

 

[Loren Booda]

These are no more than drugs. They work as drugs in people' brains. So why should they be encouraged or even consumed in the first place? In my view, we need to ban them. Or we should legalize all drugs.

It seems that you have never found genuine pleasure in art, foremost from being deluded that substance abuse gives pleasure.

Wearing decorated jeans may make one feel cool, but a crack pipe in their pocket indicates little sensibility.

 

[Oddbio]

I can see his point that it's like a drug though. Not specifically art, but just pleasurable things in general.
For instance, school just ended for us, so I'm probably going to waste the next 2-3 hours playing video games or watching TV instead of doing something useful like studying physics.

I've actually had similar thoughts as the OP, however not nearly as drastic as to "ban" them, but I can never ponder it too long because the thought scares me.

True we could ban all pleasurable things, and we probably would be more productive as a species and our scientific and technological advancements would skyrocket (I would think).

But, then you must ask, if we don't enjoy it then what is the point?
Sure we could all make marvelous contributions to mankind... but by then we would be dead and our own work would be of no use to us would it? But, by that same logic, all the time we spent pleasuring ourselves with art and such, would also be of no use... So I guess it just comes down to do whatever you want with your time here on Earth.

xD

 

[zoobyshoe]

Fantastic piece Zooby! The irony makes it all the better.

Good heavens are you talented.

Zooby's Designer Drugs Inc. thanks you both!

 

[FredGarvin]

These are no more than drugs. They work as drugs in people' brains. So why should they be encouraged or even consumed in the first place? In my view, we need to ban them. Or we should legalize all drugs.

My thoughts on your thoughts: What makes you think anyone cares and what makes you think your opinions are worth publishing?

 

[Oddbio]

I sense flames building.

 

[Saladsamurai]

My thoughts on your thoughts: What makes you think anyone cares and what makes you think your opinions are worth publishing?

I could not have said it better myself.

 

[Kronos5253]

True we could ban all pleasurable things, and we probably would be more productive as a species and our scientific and technological advancements would skyrocket (I would think).

How can you say that when basically all of what historical society considers the most advanced civilizations that have ever lived (i.e. - the egyptians, mayans, greeks, etc..) were heavy drug users, with most of it being marijuana and cocaine.

Most of the greatest advancements mankind has made in just about every field has been made by "druggies" and "psychos" to use the terms liberally (which really makes me wonder sometimes lol).

 

[Kronos5253]

Could you provide some peer reviewed references?

Agreed 100%. Provide some evidence for your claims, instead of making (seemingly) wild assumptions.

 

[Loren Booda]

Most of the greatest advancements mankind has made in just about every field has been made by "druggies" and "psychos" to use the terms liberally (which really makes me wonder sometimes lol).

The difference being that "psychos" treated not to hallucinate, etc. are proving themselves much more productive. Physical and mental self-destruction came and comes from self-medicating.

 

[Kronos5253]

The difference being that "psychos" treated not to hallucinate, etc. are proving themselves much more productive. Physical and mental self-destruction came and comes from self-medicating.

To the latter part, of course of course, that's psychology 101. But that's also kind of a circular statement, because most self-medicating is a form of self-destruction anyway.

But I don't know that I understand what you mean by the first part... Can you elaborate more, or explain it in a different way?

 

[Galteeth]

I could be wrong, but I think the OP's point was more so that banning drugs on the basis that enducing pleasure through neurochemical alteration of the brain is somehow intrinsically immoral is an inconsistent position, illusrated by his hyperbolic example.

 

[Chi Meson]

It sounded to me like the rant of someone who was just busted.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Most of the greatest advancements mankind has made in just about every field has been made by "druggies" and "psychos" to use the terms liberally (which really makes me wonder sometimes lol).

If by "liberally" you mean completely inaccurately, then yes.

 

[Galteeth]

If by "liberally" you mean completely inaccurately, then yes.

I don't know about the druggies part, but most of the revolutionary advances were probably considered "crazy" before they were successfully completed.

In terms of the arts, there is a fairly high correlation between creativity and mental abnormailty.

 

[zoobyshoe]

It sounded to me like the rant of someone who was just busted.

Hahahahahah! Yeah, a clumsy variation on the old "Alcohol's way worse for people than pot, and it's legal."

 

[zoobyshoe]

I don't know about the druggies part, but most of the revolutionary advances were probably considered "crazy" before they were successfully completed.

This is a meme you run into a lot, but if you read the history it turns out very few great innovators were considered "crazy", much less "psycho" in their time. Most of the opposition they encountered could be boiled down to the mere belief they were absolutely wrong.

 

[Loren Booda]

To the latter part, of course of course, that's psychology 101. But that's also kind of a circular statement, because most self-medicating is a form of self-destruction anyway.

But I don't know that I understand what you mean by the first part... Can you elaborate more, or explain it in a different way?

It's ironic that for ages 13-24 I was self-medicating anxiety, depression and later psychosis with some alcohol, pot and more serious drugs. Once I accepted a medical regimen and quit the drugs, however, I ceased social withdrawal, acting out and hallucinations, and found an appropriate pharmacology to fight the very habits I had formerly indulged.

As you can see, I am a believer in the healing powers of medicine. The brain has great ability to explore safely mental phenomena without drug abuse. I used to take substances to risk what I must now ingest pills against - self-destruction.

 

[SELFMADE]

Let me put it this way, what if you made addicts out of a group of bright young people and told them to make discoveries, accomplish great things for mankind or else they can't get their doses of heroin?

Harmful? I don't see any, they are working for the benefit of all.

 

[FredGarvin]

So in your opinion, Beethoven, Bach, etc...were dealers?