Would You Take The Little Blue Pill?

[Queen Boudica]

If there was a fresh identity too, i.e. that all the damage to my self confidence and psyche was gone in an instant and I came out the person I could have been if it were not for my abusive up-bringing; then, yes, I would take it in an instant.

 

[KP the nut]

I saw the title and thought we were talking about Viagra.

Me as well :rolleyes:

 

[simplekindofgirl]

To idealize it, sure. But then I think deeper into it- the little blue pill made them not only forget the bad, but the good as well.

If I took it would I have to let go of my children? The memory of the day that they were born? Or their first smile? Or the first time I had a white christmas that I had asked for as a gift for 30 years (which was never going to happen in the S.F. bay area) and finally lived in a place where I received it? I do not think I would want to lose the good things. To forget myself, well, I would like to forget my trauma, but the reality is that it can not be undone.

For me at least, I am working on fixing myself. A little blue pill would not be a fix. I would still have PTSD but without the memory of knowing why- wouldn't that mean that I might never learn to manage symptoms? If knowledge is power, then the intentional loss of it would equate as a weakness. At least for me it would. I am what I am because of my experience, and I accept that even if it is often more painful than I think that can take.

Tempting certainly, but no- in the end I would not be able to do that.

 

[sea]

No. I think we are obligated to live with the knowledge we gain and the memories we have. Don't think the purpose is to take away the pain or to erase all the bad.

If you look at basic hedonistic principals (here I go again) the basic precept isn't "Avoid all the bad and just be happy all the time all day long happy happa happa happa! Love you!" It's built on the ability to accept your knowledge and your experience and be okay with that, be happy with that, use that as best you can. The summation of human life is based upon our memories and experiences.

If we could just elect to forget every bad thing that happened to us, we wouldn't have a human society. We'd just be weird happyhappydrones. Abuse would still happen anyway, only nobody would have any idea what the f*ck is happening or why, nor would they remember it. And, of course, memory is held in other ways aside from just short term and long term.

 

[anni]

I think there are some amnesic effects to Viagra, whether or not you're the one who swallows it so maybe everyone's speaking of the same blue pill after all?

This is your brain:
This is your brain on Viagra:

There's a sountrack which goes with this, but I don't know how to load it. It sounds like 'Laaaaaaaa', in high C.

 

[Belle]

Ohhhh someone needs to start a thread on Viagra ;)

 

[Belle]

.....would you take the pill to forget the memories and the horrible cycle of trauma memory?

You don't have to forget good memories with the pill I would be first in the queue for, just the memories of trauma. But there probably would be risks about losing other memories too. Cos no drug is perfect is it.

But hey loads of good points and food for thought. It is really good to know that most of you wouldn't take the pill. Very positive news :D

 

[Srain]

I would never erase or wish a life without my children, they are the single greatest thing I have ever done with my life, despite the incredible heartache surrounding all that entailed having them. I also would never have met some of the most courageous and kind people I have come across. Would I understand empathy or tragedy the way I do, I don't believe so, therefore I doubt I would have been the places I have, known the people I have known. That would be a HUGE loss for me.

Believe me, I have thought a lot about this over time, especially after having developed memory issues. I don't like it, in fact, I hate not remembering things. The idea that I would be someone other than who I am with all I know is not something I am chasing. What I chase is peace of mind, acceptance.

It's a great question to ask.

I'm wondering about viagra now, hmmmmmm does it really do that?? Yikes!

 

[Tinyflame]

No I wouldn't. I don't want the past back.

Like Rain said above.

 

[Muzikluvr]

What I chase is peace of mind, acceptance.

Well said, Rain. I couldn't agree more. :tup:

I'm wondering about viagra now, hmmmmmm does it really do that?? Yikes!

Could the "amnesia" she refers to be a sudden loss of inhibitions? :roflmao:

 

[Srain]

HA!!!!!!! Muz! :laugh:

 

[atomi]

I agree with Belle and Heidi. Idea of pill that disrupts event of unwanted memories is fascinating for me.