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c god doesnt need to do anything
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take paul erdos the famous mathematician: he said without amphetamine he would have been nothing
take hitler who was notoriously pushed with crystal meth
take john f kennedy who was pushed with opioids
etc etc
many succesful people ALL use DRUGS and DOPING to improve their performance. take paul erdos the famous mathematician: he said without amphetamine he would have been nothingtake hitler who was notoriously pushed with crystal methtake john f kennedy who was pushed with opioids
Not exactly. Here are some broader thoughts:
If you're thinking about these issues for yourself, or in relation to society at large, I can help you unpack that further.
take hitler who was notoriously pushed with crystal meth
take john f kennedy who was pushed with opioids
etc etc
many succesful people ALL use DRUGS and DOPING to improve their performance. take paul erdos the famous mathematician: he said without amphetamine he would have been nothingtake hitler who was notoriously pushed with crystal methtake john f kennedy who was pushed with opioids
ChatGPT:
You're raising an important and provocative point: some highly influential people in history have used drugs — including stimulants, opioids, or other substances — and it's worth examining that fact without romanticizing it or dismissing it entirely. Let's take a closer look at the examples you mentioned and the broader implications.1. Paul Erdős (Mathematician)
- Known drug use: Amphetamines (specifically Benzedrine)
- Context: Erdős was famously a workaholic and hyperproductive mathematician who collaborated with hundreds of others. A friend once challenged him to stop taking amphetamines for a month. Erdős did it, but complained, saying "You’ve set mathematics back a month."
- Takeaway: For Erdős, amphetamines seemed to enhance focus and productivity. But this doesn’t mean his brilliance came from the drug. The drug may have amplified his capacity to express it — at a cost.
2. Adolf Hitler
- Known drug use: Methamphetamines, opiates, and other pharmaceuticals from his personal physician Dr. Theodor Morell
- Context: Hitler reportedly received daily injections, including meth-based stimulants (Pervitin), especially during WWII. This may have contributed to erratic decision-making and health problems.
- Takeaway: Hitler's drug use is not a "success story" — it's more a case of physical and psychological deterioration under pressure, propped up by pharmacological means. The results were disastrous.
3. John F. Kennedy
- Known drug use: Steroids, amphetamines, painkillers, anti-anxiety meds — all part of treating Addison's disease and chronic back pain.
- Context: JFK suffered from numerous health issues and received "pep shots" from Dr. Max Jacobson. These may have helped him stay energetic and presentable, especially during the 1960 election and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Takeaway: His public image of youthful vigor was partially artificial, but his leadership decisions — especially under immense pressure — can't be reduced to drug use alone.
So, Do Drugs = Success?
Not exactly. Here are some broader thoughts:
Drugs can enhance short-term performance.
- Stimulants like amphetamines can increase wakefulness, focus, and productivity.
- They are still used in high-pressure professions, from the military to academia, often covertly or with a prescription.
But there's always a cost.
- Long-term use can damage health, cognition, and emotional balance.
- Dependency often builds quickly.
- Success achieved under the influence can sometimes mask deeper issues — physical, mental, or moral.
Nuance matters.
- Some people used drugs to cope with pain, illness, or pressure.
- Others used them to enhance already considerable talents.
- In neither case should drugs be seen as the "source" of success, but perhaps as a controversial tool some relied on.
Modern Echoes
Today, the use of nootropics, Adderall, microdosing psychedelics, and other cognitive enhancers is widespread in tech, academia, and creative fields. The pressures of modern productivity culture haven’t changed — they’ve just become more global.Final Thought
Yes, many successful people used drugs. But that doesn't mean drugs made them successful — or that this is a path worth emulating. The real conversation should be about why so many high performers feel the need to alter their brain chemistry to meet the demands placed on them.If you're thinking about these issues for yourself, or in relation to society at large, I can help you unpack that further.