For example, Darwin’s discovery of evolution, although it did much to define Mankind’s place in the Universe, could hardly be said to lead to a more “serene” society, with society split between “creationist” and “evolutionists”.

A society such as the one described in “Brave New World” might well decide to suppress Darwin’s work in the interest of harmony.

Some of you may have seen the film version of H G Wells’ “Brave New World”. Towards the end of the film, Mankind, having moved on to a more enlightened society, prepares to

http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=211301

I am not so sure. Lets wiki for fun, rather than choose some obtuse article for debunking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_schizophrenia#Cannabis

Which mentions:

“Despite increases in cannabis consumption in the 1960s and 1970s in western society, rates of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia remained relatively stable over time.”

And today millions more use a much much much stronger form of cannabis …

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_cannabis

A correlation vs causation expert would be nice here.

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Just purchased a first edition, hardback of one of my favorite books of all time at the used bookstore for 5$ … Contact, I love the book and I am proud to have one of the old ones.. Sagan is a badass! That means I think he’s uber cool to avoid any confusion.

Full text from the video and background info available at the PBD wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot

The issue has been looked at by multiple federally appointed commissions, that have repeatedly concluded that prohibition of cannabis is not justified. There are “rational” ways to go about the process. The irrational part is that the recommendations have been ignored.

Your comment is what is irrational. Sagan said or implied nothing of the kind. I don’t see this as a “popular” view either. Can you provide some evidence?

The rest of your comment is dishonest gibberish. Darwin wouldn’t have published his works about evolution if he had smoked pot???? You don’t understand Sagan’s comment at all.

Even worse, you focused on serenity, but conveniently ignored “Insight” and “sensitivity” and “fellowship”. Alcohol may encourage fellowship but it hardly produces insight, nor did soma. Soma did the opposite! What a dumb analogy.

Are you for alcohol prohibition? Why or why not?

I’m afraid that Sagan seemed to be working on the principle that, if you enjoy something, it cannot be harmful – an idea that hardly qualifies as rational, although it is quite a popular one.

On a slightly wider point, I wonder how many of those supporting the use of cannabis, have ever read “Brave New World”, with all the good citixens getting their daily doses of soma to help stamp out individualism – “I drink to my own annihilation!”

Someone once said that “all progress depends on the unreasonable man”.

Look how much controversy a certain Charles Darwin stirred up, with his startling notions concerning man’s presence on this planet. How much easier to persuade Darwin, with the aid of some appropriate drugs, of the social harm his ideas might do; enabling him to suppress those contentious ideas, and so help bring about a more “serene” society.

If, as suggested, “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”, then I suspect that the price of eternal vigiilance is abstinence from drugs that give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, no matter how desperate the situation, and that any society that hopes to progress must accept a certain amount of friction.