Listen to Margaret Talbot on the radio. A program about Intelligent Design and Anti-Science Bias: "Science And Anti-Science."
http://wamu.org/prog...dr/05/12/21.php
And smart family. David Talbot is her brother. Founder of Salon Mag.
http://www.discovert....asp?indid=1523
http://www.npr.org/t...storyId=1111196
And what are you rags, her personal publicist? Giving us the inside scoop on her history and pedigree and all. No offense, its just a little weird. Do you have some connection to Ms Talbot?
And on the article I agree with Dopamine (as I often do) that the real story lies with the over the counter "supplements". Or at least I personally would rather see a story on the more obscure, yet legal cognitive enhancement drugs, if for no other reason than because Adderall/provigil/ritalin abuse is so overdone. And I would disagree that illegal use of pharmaceuticals constitutes an interesting ethical quandry, as the practice is obviously unethical for several reasons. The use of legal supplements to give oneself an advantage over their fellowman, that is a more nuanced ethical issue.
Haha! No, not her personal publicist. Just thought it was cool that a top journalist (if it really is her) is doing a high-profile piece on cognitive enhancement and hoping increased attention will result in more investment of $$$ in the field. That is the current problem with developing ampakines.
http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=ampakines'Cortex's biggest problem, Piros said, has been its financial restrictions, which have forced programs to move forward in a linear fashion and never allowed "multiple shots on goal." He predicted that a partnership is unlikely at this stage, but he encouraged Cortex's management to "consider the sale of the company to a larger organization" that could fully exploit the technology.'
And I agree with Talbot's comment on here that we are a thoughtful and intelligent bunch who cares about such things.
I also want to see more attention to over-the-counter (or internet) cognitive enhancers. I locate stories in the press hoping I'll see that and then it just ends up being another piece about Modafinil (being used by the military or by a world-class pool player, etc) or about Adderal and other ADD drugs being taken and sold on college campuses with or without a prescription. Enough already. When Talbot posted her interest in individuals' experience with Modafinil, I asked if she was also going to cover the racetams and other substances discussed here. I hope so.
The ethical implications cover all the substances that give one an advatage (perscription and illegally obtained, over-the counter and ordered-over-the-internet in a grey, semi-legal way (most Modafinil users here)) and raise questions about economic access to enhancers and the possible widening of socio-economic inequalities.
Two thorough articles on the subject, highly recommended:
1].
http://www.enhancepr.../cognition.html"The social effects of widespread use of enhancement, particularly the concern that social inequality might be exacerbated by technologically-mediated cognitive enhancements were added to the existing advantages of the wealthy and socially privileged (such as private schooling etc.) In this context, it is necessary to both consider whether future cognitive enhancements would be expensive or relatively cheap (like caffeine), and also to study under what conditions society might have an obligation to ensure universal access to interventions that improve cognitive performance. An analogy might be drawn here to public libraries and basic education."
2]. Another awesome paper on the ethical aspects of cognitive enhancement:
http://www.bma.org.u..._brainpower.pdfAnyway, contact Talbot with your experiences and hopefully more publicity and then more progress will be made in the subject matter of this very sub-forum.
Rags
Edited by Rags847, 12 June 2008 - 05:39 AM.