Prof Shi Yuzhi's musing nearly got him into hot soup. His employer's pledge to investigate was enough to prod Prof Shi to remove the controversial blog entry. The tertiary institution NUS (and similar government bodies for that matter) has been eager to present its responsive and democratic side to the country and the world. The pressure points really came from netizens who are quick to knee jerk, play the moralist, and powerful voice in the feedback channel. If it does not threaten the status quo, NUS would not have bothered to comment. It is the internet that has brought about strong criticisms and expectation to do something to correct the "wrong".
Shi's suggestion would have been deemed harmless in liberal societies that assumes individuals knows and takes responsibility for their decisions. Worry about negative effects later. Psychedlic drugs or LSD are associated with the hypie culture in the 1960s and the attendant social issues.
For more regimental environments, even free wheeling internet discussions frown upon wild, unconventional and out-of-line ideas that are unlikely to be translated into policies.
Prof Shi is not a healthcare professional or chemical researcher. His comments are at best social advocacy, from the viewpoint of a Chinese Studies academic and concerned citizen. He may not be fully aware of the implications of wide use of psychedlic drugs, the positives and no-man's land. Some "psychedelic drugs" are naturally occurring. However, this does not mean they are less detrimental to those who are allergic or unsuited to these chemicals. Moreover, the range of LSDs have not been fully understood and has thus far been carefully tailored for individual use out of necessity. Should we push the boundaries, and play doctors, and risk your own health? Surely, a little will not do much harm?
What triggered Shi to whip up a controversy?
Preoccupied with moneymaking, many Chinese are engaged in mindless work and hardly think outside the box. The education system geared to produce the best engineers and financial analysts is not conducive to creativity.
On the contrary, Tang and Sung dynasties saw the proliferation of countless creative works, more than any time in Chinese, or dare some say, world history. In those days, rice wine was the stimulant. When Li Bai composed poems and lamented at the imperfect world in intellectual discussions with fellow scholars usually in a drunken stupor. However, overdose of alcohol also killed the famous poet when he fell into the river to grasp the moon's reflection, believing the image was the real thing.
However, Shi was referring to the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs who admitted using LSD. Shi was not too interested in artistic branch of creativity. Nevertheless, abuse and misuse of drugs will produce similar outcomes. Except over-the-counter drugs, many controlled medicines, definitely in the case of LSD, must be prescribed by medical doctors with a purpose to treat the patient. A luxury, optional, drug, such as hormones that could enhance one's height, botox or the likes to meddle with the biological clock, or even choosing the sex and IQ of your baby with greater certainty in the future.
Shi's idea or opinion is unlikely to be accepted widely. He probably knows that. A blog is too brief and exaggerative to truly reflect the holistic thinking of the writer and may misrepresent his good intentions. However, for a man of reputation, respect and status, the public are less forgiving when he wondered aloud. Shi's starting point is not malicious since he hopes to produce more geniuses in China. However, this scenario if actualised, will be really scary to many developed countries. As it is now, China's competitors are lagging behind in manufacturing, research, inventions and creative piracy.
Hence, it is really doubtful if Shi will have many supporters on both sides of the fence in the world stage.
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