"Smart Drugs" for Young People

Here’s a perfect example of the kind of thinking that will ultimately lead to more problems than it solves. Researchers are predicting the development and use of ‘smart drugs’ for ‘enhancing’ the memory, attention, mood, or motivation of young people.

Think about this. These are the things that ‘schooling’ values and requires: memory, attention, mood, and motivation. 

The fundamental underpinnings of schooling has the need to control the behavior of the ‘student’ in order for them to demonstrate they can repeat the desired behavior (repeat behavior and also regurgitate desired bits of content to demonstrate both paying attention and the form a learning that is valued by schooling – memory).

In fact repitition is the primary tool used to ‘teach’ specific subjects. 

It makes sense then  that at some point people involved with schooling would conjur up the ‘bright idea’ to develop drugs as a tool to enhance the things that are valued.

These same things that are valued in the current schooling system are some of the primary reasons why there are so many dropouts. The reason why mood, motivation, and attention are lacking in the schooling system is because the experience is NOT interesting nor connected to any other aspect of young people’s lives. Humans have a natural ability to pay attention and be motivated when there is something that is interesting to them. People will naturally remember what they ‘learned’ when the experience they have is both interesting and challenging, and has some emotional component to the experience. 

Here is the article that stimulated this blog post:

Schoolchildren could be given ‘smart drugs’ in a bid to boost brainpower
By LAURA CLARK - Last updated at 9:32 PM on 19th September 2008

Schools will soon have to ensure all pupils have access to brain-enhancing ‘smart drugs’, according to officially funded experts.

They said teachers risk claims of bias against poorer children if they fail to give all pupils the same chance to take a new generation of pills which boost attention, concentration and memory.

Researchers predict that within a generation, cognition enhancing drugs – or ‘cogs’ – will be so advanced that parents and teachers will be able to ‘manipulate biology’ to enhance pupils’ brainpower.

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It also predicted that within 25 years, so-called ‘smart drugs’ will be specific enough for pupils to choose drugs for particular mental faculties.

These could include improving memory, attention, mood or motivation.

Where are the people advocating for the interests of young people? How could we allow this thinking to continue and come to fruition. It is wrong and damaging. But without a change in thinking about the difference between schooling and education this kind of thing is almost inevitable.