In South American travel guides of the late 1800s, it was commonly noted that in some regions workers chewed the leaves of the coca plant, stimulating them with "remarkable endurance" in their thin-aired mountain regions. One might feel a bit of pity for these wretched Andeans, having to overclock their internal systems simply to cope with the reality of their environment.
Yet if we replace one stimulant with another — cocaine with caffeine — aren't many of us, as workers or students, in the same situation? I would be quite surprised to learn that the US Government has not studied in depth the economic benefits of stimulants, particularly caffeine, and the benefits conferred upon national productivity by a Starbucks on every corner. I am sure both academia and professional sports are quite aware of the financial benefits of competition fired by wink-wink amphetamine use. How much have we begun to depend, for our own economic well-being and competitiveness, upon personal overclocking? I would be very interested to learn of studies of this sort.
Muckrake enjoys his stimulants of choice too. Yet there seems to be a difference between imbibing for pleasure and for survival. If the latter is the case, let's note it clearly and honestly and openly.
