Techno Drugs

I think the idea of drugs and technology interlinking is pretty relevant with the use of both today as well as in the past. The thought that drugs and technology both create a space of their own that is different than but similar to everyday life brings up many questions about drugs and technology.  If these two forms are somewhat similar is it possible to develop an addiction to technology just like an addiction to drugs?  I think that because it is very easy to lose yourself in technology the possibility of creating an addiction to it is pretty high.  Although the use of technology may not develop into a dependency, increased use definitely leads to habit and even though this habit of technology use may not be desired by the body because the brain is used to using it it is habit to use it again.  I guess continued use through habit is not addiction but more convenience.  

Interaction between the human brain and technology is very similar to the interaction between the brain and drugs.  Drugs and technology can both be used to ignore the thoughts, feelings, and happenings of everyday life and let the brain focus on something else than the users life.  This is not just a characteristic of illegal drugs but a characteristic of drugs used by much of the public everyday.  Caffeine for example lets the user step away from their own thoughts of being tired or moving slow in the morning and focus on what needs to be done.  Ibuprofen allows the user to ignore their aches and pains and continue being active. The internet also allows a user to step away from their own life by reading, scrolling and looking through pages a user can be mentally transported anywhere. 

Not only do technology and drugs both have the ability to transport the user away from day to day life but they also change the way that we work.  Technology allows for more efficiency, higher expectations and sometimes a seemingly easier work day.  Computers and the advanced communication brought on by cell phones and text messaging give office workers the ability to make more connections through communication, easier communications between business and overall a more efficient work day.  Caffeine allows laborers, office workers and many others start a work day early in the morning without drooping eyes, heavy breathing, and the threat of falling asleep. Acetametophine allows workers susceptible to headaches to work more efficiently without them.  Coca Leaves used by miners and other laborers in the Andes in South America allow the workers to combat the detrimental effects of high altitude and fatigue therefore allowing them to experience a longer work day. From these examples it is easy to see that drugs and technology change the way work is accomplished in similar ways.  The side effects of a work day, either combated through the use of technology or drugs, can be put aside and work can be managed more efficiently. 

Users of drugs and technology are similar in there need for progression and advancement.  Large drug companies spend enormous amounts of money on researching ways to produce drugs that are more efficient and have less side effects. Illegal drug manufacturers and growers strive to find cheaper ways to produce drugs that are stronger and create better highs for users. Drug users read about new medicines with less side effects.  Companies on the leading edge technology spend time and money to make computers or phones with less problems, longer battery life, and better connections but most importantly develop new software and constantly reinvent old technology. Technology users read articles and whole magazines focused on the development of new programs and software.  Surrounding both subjects there is an overall idea that there is always something better; a better drug, a better high, a better program.  Better technology and advancement of drugs create more desirable effects and in the end, ways to make work and life easier.

Miners chewing coca leaves

                 Worker using a computer